A shipment of free eyeglasses is expected to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda within days as part of the government’s ongoing Prime Minister’s Vision Initiative aimed at tackling preventable vision impairment across the country.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing that the initiative is being carried out in partnership with international non-governmental organizations, including Restoring Vision and Vision Spring.

Merchant said the programme forms part of a wider expansion of eye care services being undertaken by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with regional and international partners.

“The minister announced that later this week running into next week, his ministry will see the arrival of a shipment of free eyeglasses under the Prime Minister Vision Initiative,” Merchant said.

The initiative seeks to establish community-based “blind-free zone” centres throughout Antigua and Barbuda and is designed to address correctable vision problems at the community level.

The update came as Cabinet received a presentation from Health Minister Michael Joseph on ongoing ophthalmological services being provided by a visiting team from the Trinidad Eye Hospital.

According to Merchant, the mission is expected to provide more than 400 eye surgeries this year for patients suffering from various vision-related conditions.

The programme has also expanded into schools, with plans to screen 6,000 primary school students and 4,000 secondary school students for vision problems.

Merchant said the government views early diagnosis and treatment as important to improving educational outcomes and ensuring students receive corrective care in a timely manner.