Key community eye health messages

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When designing presbyopia services in the community:

• Treat presbyopia as a productivity and participation issue, not only a clinical condition

• Link services to everyday activities such as reading, mobile phone use, and livelihood tasks

• Offer screening and dispensing at the same visit, as follow-up is often low in community settings.

When improving access and uptake:

• Actively address gender and social barriers, as women often report near sight problems later despite higher need

• Use task-based demonstration, allowing people to try spectacles during real activities to improve acceptance

• Ensure services are affordable and provide clear options for replacement, as unmet need often persists due to cost and access gaps.

When ensuring continuity and quality of care:

• Plan for changing needs over time, as people will require stronger lenses with age

• Integrate presbyopia into primary health care rather than treating it as a one-time outreach activity

• Establish clear referral pathways for people with persistent difficulty or suspected eye conditions.