Orbis UK has partnered with Beedie on Eyewear: The Podcast for its second season, highlighting avoidable sight loss worldwide.
Hosted by optometrist Beedie, the weekly show takes listeners behind the scenes of eye health, optometry, and eyewear through conversations with industry professionals.
Season two features ophthalmologists, optometrists, fashion psychologists, and frame-makers, exploring both UK optics and global eye care challenges.
Globally, 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, yet 90% of cases are avoidable. Most occur in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to trained eye care teams.
Orbis works with hospitals and local partners to train professionals, strengthen health systems, and expand access, including through the Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching plane providing treatment and training worldwide.
The new season opens with Orbis UK Ambassador and retired ophthalmologist Larry Benjamin, sharing his Flying Eye Hospital experiences.
Later, Lucy Barker, an Orbis UK medical volunteer and senior children’s eye specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, discusses squints, amblyopia, and the role of technology in paediatric eye care, drawing on her volunteering work in Rwanda last year.
These episodes highlight how international collaboration, training, and innovation can build sustainable eye care in underserved regions.
Beyond global health, the podcast also explores business ownership, content creation, and frame-making in the UK, reflecting the creativity of the optical sector.
Beedie said: “This season of Beedie on Eyewear: The Podcast is bigger, more exciting, and not to be missed.
“With an inspiring line-up of voices, we’re partnering with Orbis UK this season, and I’m looking forward to listeners hearing more about the vital work they do to improve access to eye care worldwide.”
Colman Cawe, Orbis UK Director of Fundraising and Communications, added: “Avoidable sight loss remains one of the most solvable global health challenges, yet millions still lack access to basic eye care.
“Through our partnership with Beedie on Eyewear, we hope the podcast inspires listeners to learn more about untreated vision loss and the work still needed.”
New episodes are released weekly throughout March and April on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
