2016-10-13 Thu

Today is World Sight Day, a special day observed to create awareness about preventing blindness and visual impairment. Let’s take a look at a special $1 collector coin that was released by the Royal Australian Mint on 7th July 2010 celebrating the life and works of the late Professor Fred Hollows.

Fred was an eye doctor and a world-famous surgeon who fought for everyone to receive quality and affordable healthcare. He moved from New Zealand in 1965 and performed cataract surgery worldwide using an implanted intraocular lens. He also taught local technicians how to do it. The Fred Hollows Foundation still carries on research activities in the same field through the vision of millions worldwide.

The foundation restored sight to over 190 000 people across 18 countries and trained over 5000 eye health workers in 2009.

The coin’s design is inspired by a photograph taken by George Fetting featuring Fred holding an intraocular lens.