Obituary Karen Sparrow

It is with great sadness that we must announce the recent death of Karren Sparrow (January 4^th).

Many in diverse fields in Optics and Optical Charities here and abroad will have encountered Karen or heard of the many contributions she has made to improvements in eye health both here and abroad.

Particularly in Africa where she had led more than 12 programme assignments to Ethiopia, Zambia and Uganda to help create sustainable eye care delivery by installing vision centres and training local staff to provide affordable eye tests and spectacles.

She was certainly dynamic and assured as a leader in training and combined that with knowledge that she was always hungry to expand upon, even taking a career break in her hectic and busy life by taking a Masters in Public Health for Eye Care at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

A Liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers where yet again she has provided influence and advice just as she has in the World Council of Optometry.

With her social media skills, she has enhanced training worldwide and can certainly be recognised as one of Vision’s true influencers.

She will be deeply missed by many.

Karen had been living with Ovarian cancer for a number of years, but her health had declined over the last few months.