October 9, 2025, marks World Sight Day, dedicated this year to raising awareness about the importance of eye health and promoting universal access to vision care. Because sight enables learning, working, and moving through the world, eye health must remain a global priority accessible to everyone.
Nearly 90% of people living with blindness worldwide live in low- or middle-income countries. ¹ Globally, at least 2.2 billion people experience vision impairment, either near or distance. ² The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 1 billion of these cases could be prevented or treated through accessible interventions such as eyeglasses, surgery, or management of eye diseases. ³
The Unité de santé internationale (USI) and the School of optometry (EOUM) of the Université de Montréal highlight their partners’ commitment to carrying out optometry initiatives in multiple countries. Through mobilized expertise, significant progress has been made to strengthen education and improve access to eye care, particularly in sensitive contexts and resource-limited settings.
With the support of Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), a long-standing partner committed to improving sustainable access to vision care and advancing optometry around the world, the Université de Montréal is helping to support the development of optometry programs and strengthen the profession across several countries.
Students at the School of Optometry at the State University of Haiti. Photo credit: UEH and LD Photography.
In Haiti
Since 2017, the optometry program in Haiti has contributed to improving access to eye health services and refractive error treatment for the population by enhancing the availability and quality of ophthalmic care. Supported by OGS, the project has been implemented since 2022 by the Université de Montréal through the USI, EOUM, and the School of Public Health (ESPUM), in collaboration with the School of Optometry of the Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH) and the Brien Holden Foundation (BHF).
Despite ongoing sociopolitical instability in Haiti, significant progress has been made to consolidate optometry training and improve the quality of new eye care professionals in the country, including:
- Implementation of a remote learning program serving over 30 students;
- Training of 16 students from the first and second cohorts, most of whom have already begun working in visual health in Haiti;
- Completion of 13 clinical internships for fifth-year students, supported by OGS and the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie (MRIF);
- Integration of two graduates from the first cohort of the Haiti School of Optometry into the faculty of the Université d’État d’Haïti.
Elisabeth Nardy, a trainer for BHF, emphasizes the resilience and determination of the program’s students. Despite the many challenges they face, their commitment to learning enables them to join the growing network of specialists dedicated to improving visual health and the well-being of the Haitian population.
Thanks to the optometry program supported by OGS, I’ve been able to continue my studies both online and in person under the guidance of skilled and passionate professors, despite Haiti’s many challenges. In a country where medical resources are scarce and where many have never had an eye exam, each intervention can truly transform a life. Érickson Jean François, student, School of Optometry, Université d’État d’Haïti.
OGS and other project partners have supported the creation of the first optometry school in Haiti. They have ensured internet access to guarantee the continuity of online classes and provided qualified professors. My grandfather went blind due to glaucoma. Contributing to the improvement of visual health in my community is therefore very important to me, to reduce the rate of preventable blindness. Marie Landy Sanon, student, School of Optometry, Université d’État d’Haïti.
These achievements highlight the importance of sustained support for local training and the professionalization of the field.
Students from the fourth cohort of HONU University in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo credit: HONU University.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Togo, Vietnam, and Mali: an international network to strengthen training and advocacy in La Francophonie
In parallel, the project to develop francophone optometry programs, also supported by OGS, brings together several partner countries. Its goal is to expand access to primary eye care by developing or strengthening optometry training in contexts with limited resources. The project leverages the complementary expertise of the USI, EOUM, and faculty members such as Luigi Bilotto, International Advisor in Eye Health at the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin, Associate Professor at ESPUM and Founder of the International Visual Health Unit (USVI) at the Université de Montréal.
Key activities include:
- Development of institutional agreements;
- Bilateral and multilateral exchanges between institutions;
- Advocacy for integrating optometry into health systems as a strategy to strengthen primary care;
- Implementation and validation of academic curricula;
- Delivery of online and in-person courses by UdeM faculty.
Several initiatives are planned for 2025/2026 in partner countries:
- Democratic Republic of Congo (HONU University): Optometry school entering its 4th year;
- Togo (École nationale des auxiliaires médicaux de Lomé): Opening of the optometry school;
- Mali (Institut ophtalmologique tropical d’Afrique): Launch of a Master’s program in Optometry;
- Vietnam (Hanoi Medical University): Launch of a Master’s program in Optometry;
- Lebanon (Université de Balamand): Launch of a four-year Bachelor’s program in Optometry.
Training quality optometrists in the DRC faces major obstacles. To address them, the USI and EOUM, with the support of OGS, helped us revise the program, monitor implementation, recruit professors, establish plans and lists for laboratory and clinical equipment, and make HONU University eligible for materials from International Health Collaboration (CSI). We hope this support will be sustained. Jean Zoza, Rector, HONU University, Democratic Republic of Congo
1 World Health Organization. (2023). Technical brief: Increasing eye care interventions to address vision impairment. WHO. cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/universal-health-coverage/who-uhl-technical-brief-vision.pdf
2 Organisation mondiale de la Santé. (2023). Cécité et déficience visuelle. www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
3 Organisation mondiale de la Santé. (2023). Cécité et déficience visuelle. www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment