Integrated Management of Presbyopia in Rural Ethiopia (IMPiRE)

Date of Start
May 2021

Date of Completion
May 2025

Funder
Eyu-Ethiopia, Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) and Esillor Group

Aim
Establish self-reliant near vision impairment management services in rural Ethiopia through (a) integrated distribution of near vision correction spectacles by primary health care cadres, and (b) community contribution to the cost of spectacles.

Background
Presbyopia, an age-related near vision impairment (NVI), is one of the leading causes of visual impairment globally, affecting 1.8 billion people. This condition significantly reduces the quality of life, limits the ability to perform daily activities, and impacts work productivity, leading to substantial economic consequences for individuals and their families. The IMPiRE project is being implemented in two phases: IMPiRE-I and IMPiRE-II. In IMPiRE-I, the safe and integrated distribution of near vision correction spectacles for people with presbyopia is being pilot-tested in rural Primary Health Centres. This initiative is embedded within the primary health care system and delivered by primary health care cadres In South Gojjam, West Gojjam, and South Wollo zones, in collaboration with the Amhara Region Health Bureau. In IMPiRE II, lessons learned from IMPiRE-I will inform the equitable scaling up of the service all over Amhara Region, and then to other regions in Ethiopia. IMPiRE-II includes research to evaluate the impact and efficiency of various service delivery models.

Progress
In 2021, the feasibility and acceptability of the project were assessed with support from Himalayan Cataract Project and Esillor.. Between 2021 and 2024, EE funded 1,600 spectacles to establish revolving funds at seven health centers. Of these, 1,245 spectacles were distributed to people in need in a revolving fund model, among which 18% were provided to females.