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A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Correctable Refractive Error in Schoolchildren in Indonesia

IAPB
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Through the larger Seeing is Believing (SiB) initiative by Standard Chartered Bank, which implements numerous programs worldwide seeking to identify, prevent, and treat visual impairment, Helen Keller International (HKI) launched a multi-phase initiative from 2016 to 2020 in conjunction with the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) to build infrastructure for identifying and treating childhood visual impairment in Indonesia. Part of this initiative included a specific program, Opticians-in-Schools (OiS), that partnered with the district health and education offices, primary health workers, schoolteachers, community leaders, and refraction opticians to identify and provide glasses to schoolchildren with refractive error, at no cost. While previous school-based screening models have been implemented around the world with varied success, this study specifically evaluates the cost-effectiveness of designing and implementing a model that brings trained ophthalmic personnel and glasses to schools. Given the profound impact that visual impairment can have on quality of life, there is an urgent need for designing, deploying, and assessing cost-effective models for treating refractive error in children.