PacEYES 2025: Building Momentum for Eye Health in the Pacific

PacEYES 2025: Building Momentum for Eye Health in the Pacific

In June Samoa played host to the 2025 Pacific Eye Care Society (PacEYES) Conference, bringing together more than 110 eye health professionals, government representatives, partners and advocates from across the region. For a part of the world where eye health teams are often small, spread across vast geographies, and working in isolation, the conference was a vital opportunity for connection, collaboration, and collective vision.

A Meeting of Leaders and Practitioners

The program was carefully designed to balance clinical updates and training with broader public health dialogue. Sessions highlighted advances in cataract surgery, refractive error services, diabetic eye disease, and community outreach, while also creating space for policy conversations about integration, workforce sustainability, and health system strengthening.

Political leadership was front and centre. The then Samoan Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of eye health to wellbeing and the government’s commitment to action. Her remarks reinforced the role of political will in advancing universal eye health.

Celebrating Collaboration

The conference was also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who make this regional effort possible. The PacEYES Secretariat – Dr Alma Nacuva, Dr Lucilla Ah Ching-Sefo, and Dr Carole Poloso – provided outstanding leadership. Partners including The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, RANZCO, WHO, and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade played pivotal roles in supporting the program and the community of practice.

The IAPB contributed through a workshop on systems thinking and leadership in eye health, equipping participants with practical tools to strengthen services and partnerships. The meeting also marked Brandon Ah Tong’s first trip as IAPB Western Pacific Regional Chair, a milestone in strengthening IAPB’s engagement in the Pacific.

Looking Ahead

A highlight of the event was the sub-regional launch of the Global Summit for Eye Health Policy Framework. This step helps ensure that Pacific voices will be heard in the lead-up to the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health, and that the region’s unique needs and perspectives are reflected in global advocacy.

As the conference closed, one message was clear: the Pacific eye health community is strong, connected, and ready to lead. By participating, collaborating and innovating, partners across the islands are ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey to eliminate avoidable blindness.