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.

Presbyopia is the leading cause of uncorrected vision loss and is easy to fix. Ready-made glasses often cost less than $3 and can, in some cases, 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 some successful global programs. To scale this intervention effectively, policy support is essential. Specific legislation is required in some countries to authorise non-clinical personnel to provide this service.

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

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.

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. 

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.