Eye health and vision care

Clear vision is essential for learning, confidence, and participation in school. Yet for many children in rural Ethiopia, treatable vision problems go undetected, affecting their education, wellbeing, and opportunities later in life.

The hidden barrier to learning

In the communities where we work, children with vision challenges are often labeled as “slow learners” or “disobedient,” when in reality, they simply can’t see the board or their books clearly. Refractive errors and common eye diseases like trachoma are widespread but rarely addressed due to:

• Limited awareness among teachers and families

• Lack of affordable or available eye care services

• Cultural stigma around wearing glasses

Our approach

Partners, in collaboration with Operation Eyesight Canada Inc. and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Bahir Dar University (BDU), promotes eye health for students, teachers, and families.

Together, we:

• Train staff to identify and respond to vision issues

• Conduct regular eye health screenings in schools

• Facilitate treatment for diagnosed conditions

• Provide affordable eyeglasses and follow-up care

Our impact

• 7 partner hospitals now run equipped vision centres near our schools

• 105,000+ students, teachers, and community members have been screened

• 3,500+ eyeglasses have been distributed

• 32,000+ individuals have received treatment for eye conditions

By integrating health and education, Partners ensures that every child has the chance to see clearly and learn confidently.