Can gov’ts $5m transform Uganda’s eye care?

For a child struggling to read a classroom blackboard, a farmer unable to see clearly while working or an older person gradually losing sight to cataracts, access to eye care can determine far more than the ability to see.

It can affect education, employment, independence and quality of life. Yet for many Ugandans, particularly those living in remote communities, affordable eye examinations, glasses and specialist treatment remain difficult to access.

The government has now announced plans to expand eye-health services to more than five million Ugandans by 2031, backed by a reported $5 million investment aimed at reducing avoidable blindness and improving access to treatment.

The commitment was unveiled at the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health, hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, co-hosted by Bangladesh, Guyana, Ireland and Nigeria, in technical collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Convened by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the summit brought together governments, development organisations, civil society and private-sector partners to accelerate progress towards universal eye-health coverage.

Peter Holland, IAPB’s chief executive officer, said Uganda’s commitment reflects growing recognition that investing in eye health delivers benefits beyond the health sector.

According to the Value of Vision analysis cited at the summit, an investment of $5.74 million between 2026 and 2030 could generate approximately $48.2 million in economic benefits.

That represents a projected return of about $8.40 in economic benefits for every dollar invested, although the benefits depend on the assumptions and successful implementation of the proposed interventions.

The analysis suggests that improved access to eye care could generate more than $44 million in productivity gains by 2030.

It also projects that the interventions could avert 141 cases of depression associated with vision impairment, prevent 19 traffic injuries and produce the equivalent of 873 additional years of learning.

These estimates illustrate how untreated vision problems can affect livelihoods, education and safety.

For someone whose income depends on reading, driving, farming or carrying out detailed manual work, improved vision can make everyday tasks easier and potentially protect their earning capacity.

More treatment closer to communities

Uganda’s plan is built around three major targets to be achieved by 2031.

The first is to integrate a nationally defined package of essential eye-care services into 72 per cent of general hospitals and Health Centre IV facilities, supported by stronger referral systems.

This would bring eye-health services closer to patients who might otherwise need to travel long distances for diagnosis or treatment.

The second target focuses on cataracts, a condition in which the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, progressively impairing vision. Uganda aims to increase its national cataract surgical rate from 250 to 800 operations per million people annually.

The target represents more than a threefold increase in the annual surgical rate. The country also intends to achieve a 30 per cent increase in effective cataract surgical coverage, a measure concerned not simply with the number of operations performed but with access to surgery that delivers good visual outcomes.

The third target is to increase effective refractive error coverage by 40 per cent while establishing a sustainable national system for affordable glasses.

Refractive errors occur when the eye cannot focus light properly, causing blurred vision. Many can be corrected using prescription glasses.

For schoolchildren, appropriate glasses can improve their ability to read and participate in lessons. For working adults, clearer vision can support productivity and independence.

Reaching those left behind

Holland said the programme would also strengthen Uganda’s eye-health workforce and expand community-based and school-based vision screening.

Attention will be given to groups that often face barriers to treatment, including children, women, older people, people with disabilities, refugees and residents of remote communities.

“Particular emphasis will be placed on reaching under-served populations, including children, women, older people, people with disabilities, refugees and remote communities, ensuring that eye health services are available to those most at risk of being left behind,” Holland said.

The commitment includes investments in tele-ophthalmology, which uses digital technology to support eye examinations, consultations and specialist care remotely.

Research partnerships, coordination among sectors and improved monitoring systems are also expected to support implementation of Uganda’s National Eye Health Strategic Plan.

By 2031, the initiative aims to improve access to primary eye care, reduce avoidable blindness caused by cataracts, strengthen the distribution of eye-health workers and establish more sustainable financing for services.

VisionSpring targets 750,000 people

Alongside the government’s plans, VisionSpring Uganda is working with local partners to expand access to affordable glasses, particularly among underserved communities.

Julius Mujuni, VisionSpring Uganda’s country lead, said correcting poor vision can have immediate consequences for people’s livelihoods.

“Eye glasses are not a luxury. They are a powerful tool for improving livelihoods, independence and well-being,” Mujuni said.

He said the organization would strengthen partnerships with non-governmental and faith-based organizations, extend vision services to agricultural workers and artisans, and support the Ministry of Health’s community eye-health priorities.

“Our commitment to correct the vision of 750,000 more people in Uganda with eyeglasses by 2030 contributes to VisionSpring’s global commitment to reach 20 million more people,” he said.

VisionSpring plans to support partners through training, technical assistance, awareness campaigns and the supply of affordable glasses suited to users’ needs.