Wise Eye Screening Project

The Wise Eye Vision Screening Project provided accessible and efficient vision screening to children in Mauritius using the state of the art Spot Vision Screener to conduct comprehensive vision screenings.

This device utilizes advanced technology to detect a wide range of vision problems quickly and accurately, including:

• Refractive Errors (e.g., nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism),
• Amblyopia (lazy eye),
• Strabismus (crossed eyes/squint)
• Anisometropia (Significant difference in refractive error between eyes)

allowing for early intervention and treatment.The Spot Vision Screener is a handheld portable device that helps users detect vision errors on patients as early as 6 months of age through to adults. It works by capturing a photo-refractive image of the eye in less than a minute, providing instant results in seconds via a detailed report. 

229 children and 3 teachers were screened over four screening sessions, in four NGOs in the most vulnerable regions of Mauritius – Cite Beau Vallon, Batterie Cassee, Black River and Coteau Raffin. Poor vision was detected in 19 children and one teacher. 17 children have been seen by an optometrist and received their new glasses.  The last batch will be seen in January 2025.  Further children will be screened in 2025.

This initiative is in line with the Mauritian government’s program for education in Mauritius, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal access to quality education for all children. By investing in the visual health of Mauritian youth, we have not only supported the government’s objectives but also contributed to the holistic development of our nation’s future leaders.