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The Value of Vision: The case for investing in eye health in Botswana

Global investment case

Investing $2.35 million USD in eye health in Botswana over 2026-2030 will deliver $109 million USD in economic benefits, as well as:

837 learning years
1 traffic deaths averted
39 traffic injuries averted
179 cases of depression averted
3 deaths averted
14 years of life gained
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The benefits of investment

Good vision is foundational to economic and societal participation. Between 2026 and 2030, the investment in eye care in Botswana is estimated to lead to higher productivity, better educational outcomes at schools, reduced traffic accidents and greater participation in society.

Good vision is foundational to economic and societal participation. Investment in eye care in Botswana will lead to higher employment, improved productivity, better educational outcomes, reduced traffic accidents, and improved mental health and longevity.

Total economic benefit by 2030

Employment Benefits
$4
Occupational Productivity
$94
Caregiver Productivity
$2
Learning Benefits
$8

Total other benefits by 2030

Traffic deaths averted
1
Longevity (mortality averted)
3
Learning (equivalent years of schooling)
837
Traffic injuries averted
39
Longevity (years of life gained)
14
Cases of depression averted (visually impaired)
179

Economic benefits:

  • Employment gains for individuals previously limited by sight loss and blindness
  • Increased occupational productivity for those with mild or near sight loss actively employed
  • Enhanced caregiver productivity freeing family members from caregiving responsibilities related to sight loss and blindness
  • Improved educational outcomes for children whose vision is corrected, resulting in long-term increases in lifetime earnings
No data available

Social benefits over time

  • Fewer road crashes by reducing the risk of traffic accidents linked to poor vision, saving lives and preventing injuries
  • Improved mental health outcomes for individuals with sight loss and their caregivers, reducing cases of depression
  • Increased longevity and healthier ageing by reducing mortality risks associated with vision impairment
No data available

Sight loss averted by 2030

This investment in eye health would dramatically reduce the number of people with sight loss in Botswana by 2030 and set the path for further declines by 2050. 

The biggest early gains come from addressing presbyopia through cost-effective screening and ready-made near glasses, while reductions in distance vision loss will become increasingly important beyond 2030. 

No data available

Accelerators in eye care needed in Botswana

Our research has identified six key accelerator interventions which can help fight against sight loss and deliver huge productivity benefits back to countries by 2030

Select each accelerator intervention for more detail and recommended scale up over time.

Early detection through screenings in the community

Many people—especially in rural and vulnerable areas—miss out on eye care because no one checks their vision. Screening is simple, low-cost, and can be done by trained community members.

Our plan follows successful global programs by rapidly expanding screening to reach underserved groups and strengthen the eyecare system’s sustainability.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$436,341
Give out reading glasses on the spot

Presbyopia is the leading cause of uncorrected vision loss and is easy to fix. Ready-made glasses cost less than $3 and can be fitted on the spot by trained screeners. 

We support enabling community workers to screen and dispense ready-made near vision spectacles, as seen in successful global programs. Some countries will need to update legislation to allow this. 

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$315,763
Increase workforce capacity for eye exams and dispensing glasses

As screening expands, more people will need refraction and cataract checks—but workforce shortages are a barrier. We propose: 

  • Rapid mid-level personnel training & deployment – Train vision technicians in ~12 months to provide basic exams and refraction. 
  • Mobile eye exams – Bring exams and glasses to communities for easier access. 
  • Tele-refraction – Use remote optometrists to increase reach.
  • Train more optometrists – Start now to meet future demand for complex care. 
Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$1.13 million
Boost surgical productivity and teams

Eye surgeons are few but essential to the eye health system. Their productivity can rise 40–50% through task-shifting of suitable functions to allied health personnel, optimizing surgical workflows to promote specialization, and ensuring optimal level of equipment and consumables. 

Training allied health workers is key to support these changes. Additionally, more surgeons must also be trained now to meet future needs.

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$383,810
Remove barriers to access

Cost, distance, and stigma stop many from accessing eye care. Uptake improves with free or subsidised surgery and glasses, and when care is brought closer to communities. 

Support like transport, telehealth, and culturally appropriate counselling helps overcome barriers and improve access. Hence, our investment case envisages the effectiveness of financial and transport support alongside culturally appropriate counselling to expand access to eye care. 

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$44,686
Make cataract surgery even better

Some patients still have poor vision after cataract surgery, often due to uncorrected refractive error. A basic pair of glasses can address this. 

More broadly, visual outcomes after surgery can be improved through strategies implemented across the full-cycle of surgery including better training and pre-operative biometry. 

Total five-year investment needed for this accelerator
$45,171

Total investment required

Delivering the benefits outlined in this investment case will require an additional $2.35 million USD over the next five years – beginning at $128,561 USD in 2026 and scaling up to $838,851 USD by 2030.

No data available

What leaders need to do

Here are the key actions for leaders worldwide to translate this investment case into reality. 

Act

  • Leadership and commitment from the highest levels of Government.  
  • Activate nationally owned plans to deliver change and an integrated approach.  
  • Implement policy changes to address vision, recognising it as a whole-of-life issue that needs a holistic, whole-of -government approach.  

Allocate

  • Increase resources, recognising the return of investment that is possible both nationally and internationally. 
  • Explore innovative funding mechanisms and new ways to fund eye health.  
  • Foster partnerships with the private sector.   

Accelerate

  • Collaborate across the public and private sector and wider society to harness the educational and societal benefits of addressing poor vision.
  • Implement the 6 accelerator interventions quickly and as a minimum and scale these up as progress is made.
  • Harness technology and fast-track research and development in this area.

Global investment case

See evidence on how scaling proven eye health solutions boosts health and education outcomes, employment, and productivity—delivering exceptional value for money.
View global summary

Download key documents

Sign up to access the full global report, advocacy summary, methodology annex, and narrative, all in one place.
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Sponsors

The Fred Hollows Foundation Website
Johnson & Johnson Vision Website
CBM Website
Mission for Vision Website
Roche Website
Sightsavers Website
SEVA Website

Data Contributors