Unfortunately many people suffering from low vision who haven’t received an appropriate diagnosis are treated as blind. Some children with low vision are placed in schools for the blind, even though they have some ability to see. With the help of visual and non-visual aids ICEE can reduce the impact of vision impairment on daily life.

In 2006 ICEE partnered with Sightsavers International and CBM to assess low vision children. A multi-disciplinary team involving ophthalmologists, optometrists and ophthalmic clinical officers screened 547 children in parts of western and eastern Uganda. In a follow up to the project, ICEE participated in delivering spectacles and low vision devices in 2007, while at the same time building a database of children requiring surgery.

The launch of the Optometrists Association of Uganda saw ICEE East Africa Programmes Director Naomi Nsubuga was elected Vice Chairperson of the Association. The main focus of the OAU is on human resource development and service provision by qualified personnel. The establishment of such professional associations is an important step in the building of comprehensive eye care systems.

The OAU provides advice to the Ministry of Health on refractive error and low vision. It is also attempting to have the optometry profession recognised and regulated, partly to have optometrists serving in the public sector, where they are in great demand.