ICEE has released a free online resource – Vision Centres: An Introduction –based on its own model for establishing vision centres in developing nations.
The resource, which contains theory and practical direction, aims to encourage eyecare agencies to develop long term solutions by investing in local eye care education and appropriate service delivery systems in under-served communities.
An Introduction resource will act as a readily available tool to help educate eye care workers on the Vision Centre concept in the field. In many parts of the developing world, eye care services are only available in urban centres which creates accessibility barriers for many people
ICEE has been integral to providing more than 450 sites for eye care, many of which can be described as full Vision Centres. Their Vision Centre model is centred on collaborating with governments, communities and international non-government organisations to develop long term sustainable solutions.
Luigi Bilotto, ICEE Director for Global Resource Development, is excited about the initiative, “We hope the Vision Centres: An Introduction resource will act as a readily available tool to help educate eye care workers on the Vision Centre concept in the field. In many parts of the developing world, eye care services are only available in urban centres which creates accessibility barriers for many people.”
Professor Kovin Naidoo, Global Programmes Director for ICEE, commented, “We have advocated for this model for many years – it is tried and tested. This system, if continued to be implemented by us and now joined by other eye care agencies, would see an immeasurable reduction in the spiralling numbers of those suffering from avoidable blindness or vision impairment.”
