Antigua and Barbuda will screen 10,000 students for vision problems as part of an expanded national eye care programme that also includes more than 400 free eye surgeries this year.

The update was provided during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant, who said Cabinet received a presentation from Health Minister Michael Joseph on ongoing efforts to expand ophthalmological services through regional and international partnerships.

Merchant said a team of specialist doctors from the Trinidad Eye Hospital is currently in Antigua and Barbuda providing surgeries and other eye care services under a long-running partnership involving the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and the Medical Benefits Scheme.

“This year’s mission is expected to deliver more than 400 eye surgeries to individuals affected by various vision-related conditions,” Merchant said.

The programme has also been expanded to include a nationwide school screening initiative aimed at detecting vision problems among students at an early stage.

According to Merchant, 6,000 primary school students and 4,000 secondary school students across Antigua will undergo eye examinations and screenings.

He said the initiative is intended to improve educational outcomes by ensuring students with visual impairments receive treatment and corrective support as early as possible.

Merchant also announced that a shipment of free eyeglasses is expected to arrive later this week and into next week under the Prime Minister’s Vision Initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with international non-governmental organizations including Restoring Vision and Vision Spring.