A detailed report on improving district-level planning for VISION 2020 in Africa, emphasizing data-driven strategies for addressing cataract, refractive error, childhood blindness, and other eye conditions through effective collaboration, service delivery, and monitoring.
Knowledge that drives action. Tools that support change.
Resources
At KCCO, we believe that sharing practical knowledge is just as powerful as delivering care.
Our growing resource library supports eye care professionals, program managers, policymakers, researchers and educators across Africa with tools designed to strengthen systems, train teams and scale sustainable impact.
Whether you’re developing a national plan, launching a hospital program, or conducting training in remote areas. These resources are built to inform and empower your work.
Reports
Childhood cataract in Africa
This report summarizes a 2007 workshop at KCCO that focused on using evidence-based approaches for effective district-level planning and implementation of the VISION 2020 initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness in Africa.
Results of Medline search “Willingness to pay” and “Africa”
A report on using evidence-based approaches for planning and implementing VISION 2020 eye health services at the district level in Africa, focusing on data-driven strategies for addressing blindness and improving eye care delivery.
Preferred practices for training, deploying, and following up with Key Informants (KIs) for identifying and supporting children with severe visual impairment or blindness
Summary of key discussions and research priorities from the 2012 Global Scientific Meeting on Trachomatous Trichiasis in Moshi, Tanzania, focusing on surgical practices, service delivery, and quality improvement.
Childhood Blindness Project report – Madagascar, July 2014
This report details childhood blindness outreach efforts in four regions of Madagascar (Analamanga, Vakinankaratra, SAVA, and Atsinanana), supported by KCCO and SEVA Canada. Using trained Key Informants, over 2,000 children were screened across multiple sites. The program provided treatment, glasses, and surgeries for children with visual impairments. Despite logistical challenges and budget overruns for medicine and glasses, the project met or exceeded key objectives and was widely appreciated by communities, health workers, and local leaders.
Prevention of Blindness in Leprosy in Africa
This symposium report outlines strategies to prevent blindness in people affected by leprosy in Africa. It highlights the high burden of ocular disease among leprosy patients, especially cataract and lagophthalmos, and emphasizes the need to integrate leprosy care into general eye health services under VISION 2020. It recommends improved screening, surgical interventions (like lateral tarsal strip and cataract surgery), revised disability grading, and national-level planning to ensure equitable access and reduce stigma.
Strengthening capacity for effective service delivery in hospitals and communities to achieve VISION 2020 in Africa
This document outlines KCCO’s approach to building capacity at the district level in Africa to meet VISION 2020 goals. Through a structured two-phase model—assessment and planning, followed by implementation with ongoing mentorship—KCCO helps hospitals and districts improve efficiency, community outreach, and service delivery. The strategy includes leadership development, operational improvements, staff training, and stronger management systems to ensure sustainable, comprehensive eye care for entire populations.
Results from a KCCO workshop on the cost of outreach services in eastern Africa
This report summarizes findings from a KCCO-led workshop assessing the cost of eye care outreach services in eastern Africa. It focuses on community-based strategies for identifying and transporting cataract patients for surgery. The study found that outreach costs per cataract patient transported range between $35–45, with total surgery costs averaging around $100 per patient. These insights support VISION 2020 planning by highlighting the importance of budgeting for both outreach and hospital-based services to meet cataract surgery targets.
Clinical low vision training of optometrists
This report outlines a five-day clinical low vision training for optometrists in northern Tanzania, part of a pilot project led by KCCO to integrate low vision services into regional eye care and education systems. Focused on children, the training covered refraction, basic magnification, non-optical interventions, and coordination with schools. The project aims to ensure children with low vision receive the necessary support to use their vision effectively in mainstream education and sets the foundation for broader regional implementation.
Using evidence for VISION 2020 “district” planning
This report summarizes a four-day workshop held at KCCO in Moshi, Tanzania, focused on improving the use of evidence in planning VISION 2020 eye care programs at the district level in Africa. It outlines key data requirements, planning processes, disease-specific strategies, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective, data-driven service delivery. The report also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder coordination and the use of updated blindness prevalence estimates to improve planning accuracy and implementation outcomes.