Africa Focus
We are an Africa-wide non-profit development organization with an aim to reduce avoidable blindness and vision impairment caused by refractive errors and other eye deficiencies. We conduct research and provide child eye care programmes, paediatric human resource development and optometry service delivery through comprehensive eye health.
Our Values
The core values stated below underpin the ethical and professional manner in which we conduct our work, strive towards our purpose, and govern our operations.
The African Eye Institute is inspired by the vision of:
Described as "the most influential optometrist of our generation", the late Prof Holden has contributed significantly - through lecturing, research and innovation - to education, research, advocacy, social advocacy, social enterprise and humanitarian work in eye health, so that all brackets of society could access high quality, affordable eye health care.
Prof Naidoo is a National Research Foundation B-rated researcher, educator and internationally celebrated public health leader who has has devoted his working life to reducing avoidable blindness and vision impairment, with special emphasis on refractive error. He has been revolutionizing access and delivery to eye care in Africa and for the globally disadvantaged.
One School At a Time Initiative
Thousands more LEARNERS set to benefit from life-changing vision screening
The launch of Phase 3 of the One SAAT (One School at a Time) project is well underway. Hundreds of underprivileged children in KZN schools are benefitting from free vision screening, spectacles and referrals to hospitals for further care, with the aim to reach a further 12 eThekwini District schools by September this year.
Initiated by the African Eye Institute (AEI) and partners CooperVision, OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation and Peek Vision, One SAAT started providing KZN children at 11 schools with vision screening in Phase 1 and Phase 2 last year.
The basis for the project lies in the fact that much learning is visual, with academic performance closely linked to a child’s ability to see clearly. To address this in areas where access to eye health is difficult or unaffordable, One SAAT was launched. Through the programme, the AEI optometry team conducts eye screenings, provides necessary referrals and donates spectacles to children in need.
The launch of Phase 3 in March started with pupils and teachers at Nizam Road Primary in Merebank and Phila Combined School in Umlazi. There was much excitement when the team arrived as, for many of these children, this marked their very first vision screening experience.
Commenting on the One SAAT programme, Acting Head of Department of Nizam Road Primary, Sham Maistry said: “My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the wonderful AEI team and their project partners for a very worthy initiative. I have no doubt that better eyesight will improve the academic performance of our learners who are recipients of glasses.”
Other schools that benefitted from One SAAT in May and June this year were Lotus Primary, Settlers Primary, New West Secondary, Bonela Primary, Pemary Ridge Primary and Columbia Primary.
Phase 3 of the One SAAT programme will continue after the winter school holidays. Schools preparing to be a part of this life-changing programme from July are Lenham Primary, Crystal Point Secondary, Macken Mistry Primary and Eqinisweni Primary.
*AEI partners with CooperVision, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and Peek Vision.
*One School at a Time is associated with the Berkeley Vision CURE Global Campaign.
Anyone wanting to find out more or show support for On School at a Time programme can contact Nad Ramsarup on 0659949862.
