At ICEE we know that a pair of glasses and access to eye care means improved performance at school, increased employment opportunities and a higher quality of life.

In late 2007 the ICEE programme in Mongolia was established to improve access to eye care and refractive services in regional areas of Mongolia by; developing a volunteer service delivery programme in the provinces, training spectacle technicians, and providing refraction training at the provincial and national level.

ICEE educational programmes ensure transfer of knowledge through education aimed at building in-country capacity in developing communities.

The current programme strategy for Mongolia aligns with the organisational strategy and objectives of building local capacity and training eye care personnel to develop a sustainable system.

Service delivery and outreach trips were carried out over a three week period in Hosvgol region in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The volunteer programme brings services to those in need and develops opportunities and partnerships for refraction training.

A lack of available screening and affordable glasses has important implications for school learning and adult literacy programmes. The service delivery trips offer eye care to children and adults and provides affordable spectacle in areas with limited access. During each trip, approximately 1500 people receive eye examinations and approximately 500 people receive spectacles.

A spectacle technician course was run in 2008 and 2009 at which people including those from the provinces were trained. Spectacle technician training aims to upskill optical technicians and lay the foundation for affordable and good quality spectacle supplies in underserved areas. The Mongolian Optical Association (MOA) established in 2002, is seeking to improve standards and requested ICEE training for their members.

An agreement between ICEE and the Ministry of Health for a potential Refraction Training Course and translation on Refraction training material is now close to completion. Training of ophthalmic nurses and eye doctors to refract will enhance capacity at tertiary and secondary hospitals and allow for provision of such services. Development of training capacity and translation of the Refractive Error Training Manual into Mongolian will enhance capacity in-country and lay foundation for development of an optometry curriculum.

Finally ICEE is working together with the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders to assist in the development of the National Eye Plan. ICEE supported two key planning workshops; an advocacy workshop on refraction training; and the National Priority Planning workshop on development of the National Eye Plan – the workshops highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to improve eye care services across the country.

Funders:

• ICEE
• AusAID support through the Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium
  

Partners:

• Ministry of Health
• Mongolian Optical Association