School Eye health
School Eye health programme
School Programme
School eye health programmes are increasingly recognised as an important strategy for addressing avoidable vision impairment among children and improving educational outcomes in low-resource settings. In Sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to integrate eye health into existing school health systems have emerged as a potentially more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional vertical outreach models. Previous implementation research has shown that integrated delivery models may improve programme efficiency, strengthen coordination between the health and education sectors, and enhance long-term sustainability within real-world settings. However, the success of integrated school eye health programmes is strongly influenced by contextual and health system factors, including governance structures, workforce capacity, financing mechanisms, referral systems, and stakeholder engagement.
Programmes
Studies published
This implementation research evaluates whether an integrated model of school eye health delivery is more cost-effective than a traditional vertical approach in Zanzibar. The study compares the costs, service outputs, and operational efficiencies of delivering eye health activities through existing school health systems versus stand-alone outreach programmes. It also explores the feasibility and practical challenges of integrating eye health into routine school health services within a low-resource setting. The findings aim to inform policymakers and programme implementers on sustainable and efficient approaches for scaling school eye health programmes in Zanzibar and similar contexts.
This non-randomised interventional comparative implementation study examines whether an integrated school eye health delivery model performs better than a conventional vertical approach in a real-world setting in Zanzibar. The study compares programme performance indicators including screening coverage, referral uptake, service delivery efficiency, and implementation feasibility, between the two models. It further explores how integration within existing school health systems influences operational sustainability, coordination, and resource utilisation. The findings provide practical evidence to guide policymakers and implementers on effective strategies for scaling school eye health services in low-resource contexts.
This programme evaluation study assessed the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a school eye health programme in Petauke district, Zambia, using the RE-AIM framework. The programme screened over 53,000 children through teacher-led vision screening and demonstrated improvements in teachers’ eye health practices and children’s quality of life following intervention. Despite strong programme reach and effectiveness, challenges such as low spectacle compliance and poor referral uptake highlighted important contextual barriers including parental misconceptions, seasonal activities, and community perceptions. The study emphasises that sustainable school eye health programmes require not only effective screening systems, but also stronger community engagement, follow-up mechanisms, and long-term integration into routine school health structures.