The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has significantly reduced access to specialized health services, including vision care and optometry services. Damage to health facilities, shortages of medical equipment, and the prioritization of emergency and trauma services have limited the availability of routine eye examinations and corrective vision care.
For children with disabilities, untreated vision problems can severely affect learning, development, and participation in educational activities. For older adults, impaired vision increases the risk of falls, limits mobility, and reduces independence, particularly in crowded and unstable living environments created by displacement.
Despite the simplicity of vision correction, access to eyeglasses has become extremely limited in Gaza, leaving many individuals unable to perform basic daily activities.
Project Objectives
The overall objective of this initiative is to improve functional vision and quality of life for vulnerable populations in Gaza through access to corrective eyeglasses.
Specific Objectives
- Identify children with disabilities and older adults in need of vision correction.
- Provide accurate vision assessments and prescription measurements.
- Deliver correctly fitted eyeglasses to beneficiaries despite logistical and access constraints.
- Improve independence, mobility, and learning capacity among beneficiaries.
Key Activities
- Vision Assessments
Vision screenings and measurements were conducted locally in Gaza to determine appropriate prescriptions for beneficiaries. These assessments ensured that eyeglasses would be tailored to individual needs, allowing beneficiaries to receive effective vision correction.
- Eyeglass Production
Based on the prescriptions obtained through vision assessments and the preferences of beneficiaries, eyeglasses were manufactured to match the specific visual requirements of each beneficiary.
- Distribution of Eyeglasses
Once manufactured, eyeglasses were shipped to Gaza and distributed to beneficiaries. Despite significant logistical and access challenges, the project ensured that beneficiaries received correctly fitted eyeglasses, enabling immediate improvement in vision and daily functioning.
For children with disabilities, corrected vision enabled:
- improved learning and classroom engagement
- greater ability to read and participate in educational activities
For older adults, eyeglasses helped:
- improve independence in daily activities
- reduce the risk of falls and injuries
- facilitate confidence in movement and navigation in crowded environments
Service Delivery Impact (2025)
The eyeglasses initiative reached:
1,059 beneficiaries across the Gaza Strip
