Vision care without borders: A community partnership for the development of an optical service in rural Nicaragua

Background: For several years, Valparaiso University students have worked collaboratively with nurses and physicians to provide eye care for children, families, and communities in rural Nicaragua. As a result of a community assessment, Valparaiso University established an optical service in rural Nicaragua in partnership with local healthcare providers and community members. The goal of the optical service was to prevent disorders of the eyes related to dust, smoke, and ultraviolet light exposure while improving vision among community members.

Method: Valparaiso University partnered with an optical lab in the Midwest to equip the optical service with frames, lenses, and tools to dispense prescription eyeglasses. In partnership with community members, a variety of aesthetically pleasing frames were selected. A range of prescription lenses were prefabricated to fit the frames. Valparaiso University students were trained by an optician from the partnering optical lab on how to place the lenses in the frames, how to adjust the fit of the eyeglasses, and how to clean the lenses. In Nicaragua, the students trained healthcare providers and community members on these optical techniques. Reorder forms were translated into Spanish and provided to the clinic.

Conclusions: Train-the-trainer sessions proved to be a viable mechanism for teaching healthcare providers and community members optical techniques. Through community partnership and assessment, the vision of a sustainable optical service in rural Nicaragua was attained. In partnership with healthcare providers and community members, academic researchers at Valparaiso University will evaluate the optical service using community-based participatory action research methods.