By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

A doctor and 16 Optometry students will be conducting another free eye clinic here.
John Michelsen, a third year student at University of California Berkeley said that this is the second year that a team of students is visiting Palau to hold an eye clinic free of charge and will also distribute free eyeglasses to patients who will be needing it.
The free eye clinic will run for five days starting on January 8.
Michelsen said a day will be reserved solely for school screening but is yet to determine the schools where the mission will be conducted.
The clinic will begin on Jan. 8 from Monday to Thursday and Friday will be for school screening.
The volunteers will be at the Palau Community College Cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dr. Joy Aroonlap, said this year’s mission is composed of new volunteers and that the experience will help patients needing eye care.
Last year, Michelsen’s team screened over 2,000 people during their first year of free eye clinic.
Michelsen, whose family was based in Palau in previous years said that the free eyeglasses were donated by the Lion’s Club in California and the rest of the travel expenses were shouldered by them.
He however said that the Ministry of Health, Lens Motel and other agencies in Palau were helpful in ensuring that the eye clinic will be successful and would run smoothly.