In Ghana, uncorrected refractive error and cataracts are the leading causes of severe visual impairment. Yet 95% of the people that need glasses do not have them due to lack of access to affordable eye care services. We are working with the Ghana Health Service and other NGOs to increase access to affordable eye care in rural and isolated communities.

Vision Action has sent more than 200 qualified eye care professionals to Ghana to support local eye care workers with the training and delivery of outreach clinics to isolated communities. Working in partnership with the Korle Bu Lions Trust and Moorfields Eye Hospital, we established Korle Bu Optical Services at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. The Vision Centre provides free eye tests and low-cost prescription glasses to the public, helping more than 3,000 patients each year. Vision Action is now working with the Ghana Health Service and our donors to establish a similar facility in northern Ghana.

We are also working to make eye care services and glasses accessible by training primary health care workers and providing eye care screening and treatment for school children through the School Health and Education Programme.

We are supporting the Ghana Health Service to provide training for ophthalmic professionals such as ophthalmic nurses, opticians and optometrists through collaborations with training institutions and universities as well as professional volunteer and mentorship programmes.