The Special Olympics ‘Opening Eyes’ screening program took place on February 20th, 2025 at the Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment in Sharjah. Organized by Special Olympics UAE, this initiative provided free vision assessments and Opening Eyes screenings to 114 athletes, ensuring access to essential eye care services.
Gulf Medical University’s Participation
Dr. Rizwana Hussaindeen, Program Director and Associate Professor of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University (GMU), represented the university at the event. She served as Clinical Director, contributing her expertise to enhance the eye health of participating athletes.
Impactful Initiative
This impactful initiative was made possible through the support of One Sight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, Atlas Medical Equipment Trading, and strategic health partner ADNOC. The program aimed to address the vision care needs of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promoting inclusive healthcare and empowering them to reach their full potential.
“I am proud to see our faculty members contributing their expertise to community-based initiatives like the Special Olympics ‘Opening Eyes’ program. Dr. Rizwana’s participation as Clinical Director demonstrates our university’s commitment to social responsibility and promoting inclusive healthcare. I appreciate the collaborative efforts of Special Olympics UAE, One Sight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, Atlas Medical Equipment Trading, and ADNOC in making this initiative a success.” stated Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean, College of Health Sciences.