Many children struggle in school. Many more could be doing better than they are. Education is the key to greater life opportunities and the chance to see dreams come to fruition.

But what if a child can't see well? What if a child cannot see what is written on the board in class or has trouble seeing their school books? Additionally, since the pandemic, students have had prolonged screentime use which can increase visual stress and the rate of vision problems.

We have a simple yet profound mission: to provide comprehensive eye care that is integrated with the overall health care system to children in primary schools of Jamaica. We do this by partnering with local schools, Indiana University School of Optometry, Rotary Club of Negril, on-island eye care professionals and other community partners.

Our mission

See Better. Learn Better's mission is to promote healthy vision and provide comprehensive and sustainable eye care for schoolchildren throughout Jamaica. We believe that every child deserves access to quality eye care services and vision screenings, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Our program works with community and clinical stakeholders to identify and address vision problems in children through early detection and intervention to ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We strive to provide training opportunities for the next generation of eye care professionals and create education and resources for families and communities to increase awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care. Our goal is to empower children with healthy vision and improve their quality of life, now and in the future.  

Our Partners

Bustamente Children’s Hospital

Cornwall Regional Hospital

Our Partner Schools

Hanover parish

  • Cave Valley Primary

  • Church Hill Primary

  • Cove Primary

  • Green Island Primary

  • Upper Rock Spring Primary

westmoreland parish

  • Broughton Primary

  • Ferris Primary

  • Grange Hill Primary

  • Little Bay All Age

  • Little London Primary

  • Mount Airy Primary & Infant School

  • Moreland Hill Primary

  • Negril Primary

  • Savanna-La-Mar Primary

  • St. Paul’s Primary

  • Sheffield Primary

  • Revival Primary

Our pathway

  • 1. Screenings

    Pediatric vision screening by doctors is done to detect any vision issues and refer children in need of comprehensive eye exams.

  • 2. Eye Exams

    Pediatric optometrists complete comprehensive eye exams for children who failed the screening exams.

  • 3. Fittings

    Licensed opticians fit children who need glasses for their brand–new custom frames. The eyeglass prescription and frames are then sent for manufacturing in Kingston.

  • 4. Dispensing

    We schedule a day with partner schools to dispense the glasses to children that need them. After a few weeks, we begin to follow up with schools to check in with students and administrators about adherence to wearing their glasses.

  • 5. Referrals

    For students with severe eye issues that may require surgery and additional follow-up care, we make referrals to pediatric ophthalmologists on the island and arrange transportation, and cover the costs of the first appointment or necessary additional testing. Most referrals are made to the eye clinic at Bustamente Children's Hospital in Kingston.

  • 6. Follow up

    Our model ensures that each child receives a vision screening every other year. Those with vision issues or who need glasses are followed up with yearly. Children who need care more than once annually are referred to an on-island optometrist or ophthalmologist, depending on their needs.