PM Says 25,000 Free Eyeglasses to Be Distributed Under National Vision Initiative
The government has launched a programme to provide 25,000 free prescription eyeglasses to residents who cannot afford vision care, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Saturday.
Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne programme, Browne said the initiative is aimed at improving productivity and quality of life for people suffering from impaired vision.
“We’re making sure that those in Antigua and Barbuda who have that type of problem and cannot afford a pair of glasses, they can get it for free,” Browne said.
The prime minister said the eyeglasses have already arrived in Antigua and Barbuda and that the programme will be administered through the Ministry of Health.
According to Browne, residents will be able to have their eyes tested, receive a prescription and obtain a pair of glasses at no cost. He added that the government intends to repeat the programme in the future by replacing glasses as needed.
“This is an initiative of the Prime Minister’s office and this will be executed by the Ministry of Health,” Browne said. “Individuals now can go and get their eyes tested, determine the prescription and they get a free pair of glasses.”
Browne linked the initiative to broader efforts to address vision impairment, noting that poor eyesight can reduce productivity and limit opportunities for those unable to afford corrective lenses.
He said the programme forms part of the government’s social support efforts and follows discussions about the importance of early intervention and access to eye care services.
The announcement came as Browne also disclosed that a second shipment of building materials had arrived and was being distributed to beneficiaries under a separate government assistance programme.
During the discussion, programme participants noted that prescription eyeglasses can cost between approximately EC$700 and EC$2,000, depending on the type of lenses and frames required, highlighting the potential savings for recipients.