Good-Lite Supports Vision Screening Programs in Gambia

At Good-Lite, we believe that access to reliable vision screening should not depend on where a child is born. In many parts of the world, children grow up without access to routine eye care, allowing vision problems to go undetected during critical years of development. Supporting programs that expand early screening and build long-term local capacity is an important part of our commitment to global vision care.

In late 2025, Good-Lite supported a vision screening outreach program in Gambia led by Jeffery D. Young, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Ophthalmology at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. The program focused on pediatric vision screening, educator training, and creating sustainable systems that extend beyond a single visit.

During the most recent outreach visit, the clinical team screened approximately 5,000 children across multiple locations. These screenings helped identify refractive errors, amblyopia risk factors, and other vision-related conditions that can interfere with learning and development if left unaddressed.

While the number of children screened is significant, the program’s impact goes further. Alongside direct screening, the team focused on training local teachers to recognize vision concerns and participate in ongoing school-based screening efforts. This approach helps ensure that children can continue to be screened regularly, rather than relying solely on visiting clinics or short-term missions.

Teacher-led vision screening plays a key role in continuity of care. Educators see children every day and are often the first to notice changes in learning or behavior that may signal a vision issue. By providing teachers with appropriate tools and guidance, the program helps reduce gaps in identification and follow-up that are common in underserved regions.

Effective screening depends on tools that are accurate, durable, and appropriate for pediatric use. As part of this outreach program, Good-Lite provided vision screening equipment designed to perform reliably in varied environments, including resource-limited settings.

Standardized screening materials help ensure consistent results, whether screenings are conducted by visiting clinicians or local educators. Providing the right tools also supports confidence and efficiency, allowing screening activities to continue long after visiting teams return home.

The long-term goal of the Gambia initiative is sustainability. Rather than focusing solely on short-term outcomes, the program emphasizes education, repeat screening, and local ownership. By strengthening systems already in place, the project supports continued growth and expansion of vision screening services.

Following the visit, Dr. Young shared that the team is continuing to train teachers and expand the program locally, with plans to increase screening coverage in the coming year. Additional screening kits will support this expansion and help maintain consistency as the program scales.

Good-Lite is proud to support clinicians and organizations working to expand access to pediatric vision screening worldwide. By partnering with programs that prioritize early detection, education, and sustainability, we aim to contribute to meaningful, long-term improvements in vision care for children and communities.

Outreach efforts like the Gambia program demonstrate what is possible when healthcare providers, educators, and industry partners work together to address vision care gaps and support lasting change.

#GoodLiteGives