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Our Strategic Priorities

Theme: Vision for everyone…inclusive services for people living with severe vision loss and other disability. During more than27 international (online) meetings; these priorities were advanced by people with  vision loss; The Caribbean Blindness Services Forum; members...

What We Do

We believe that persons with blindness or visual impairments, are entitled to some basic services and opportunities, wherever they live. We believe that a number of international conventions & initiatives, provide useful impetus to our...

Vision 2020 – Eye Health

In March 2017, when the Cabinet authorised implementation of the Public Sector Eye Service as a partnership with the Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB) The Government confirmed its determination to help everyone in Antigua...

Education Programs

Over the past 20 years, we established or improved 10 national education programs for children with blindness or visual impairment & trained more than 55 teachers to work with the children. Read more about our...

Our Strategic Priorities and Programmes 2023 to 2030

Theme: Vision for everyone…inclusive services for people living with severe vision loss and other disability. During more than27 international (online) meetings; these priorities were advanced by people with: vision loss;...
Read More "Our Strategic Priorities and Programmes 2023 to 2030"

2022 AND BEYOND – OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

  Theme: Vision for everyone…inclusive services for people living with severe vision loss and other disability. During more than27 international (online) meetings; these priorities were advanced by people with:  vision loss;...
Read More "2022 AND BEYOND – OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES"

Announcing… Collaboration with The All-American Institute for Medical Sciences (AAIMS) to Start Training Optometrists in Black River, Jamaica by 4th Quarter, 2022

Why Train Optometrists in Jamaica?

With approximately one optometrist per 150,000 Jamaicans, there is a critical shortage of Optometrists in Jamaica, and this is clearly a major contributor to avoidable blindness in Jamaica. In Canada, England, and the United States, the ratio is closer to 6,000 people per Optometrist and in Guyana and Trinidad, the ratio is approaching one Optometrist per 10,000 people. Jamaica lags significantly in this important health matrix.

The All-American Institute for Medical Sciences (AAIMS) is training Optometrists at its campus in Black River

AAIMS operates under charter from the Government of Jamaica and has been training allied and other health professionals in Black River, Jamaica for 10 years.

What is Optometry?

Optometrists are primary providers of the eye care team and optometry is a profession supplementary to medicine. Optometrists collaborate with other members of the eye health team including Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Ocularists, Ophthalmic Technicians, and Ocular Imaging Technicians.

What is the BSc in Optometry?

The degree is in the genre of Optometry training programmes in the United Kingdom. Students must complete 3 years of theory and practice, and also a 4 th year of supervised practice.

How are Optometrist registered to practice?

Optometrists trained in Jamaica are registered under Section 8-B of the Opticians Act of 1926. To apply for registration, candidates must be trained in an institution, college, or university, chartered or recognized by the Government of Jamaica. The Registrar-General is responsible for registering Optometrists.

So, what do Optometrists earn in Jamaica? Do the calculations yourself!

The following assumptions estimate the income profile of Optometrists in Jamaica:

a) Average case load of 15 patients per day at J$5,000 per patient.
b) Perform advanced diagnostic tests starting at J$9,000 per patient.
c) Prescribing, fitting, and selling eyeglasses ranging from J$16,000 to J$145,000 or higher.
d) Measuring, fitting, and supplying soft or rigid contact lenses for as much as J$150,000 or higher.
e) Fitting and prescribing low vision devices starting at J$25,000.
f) Providing Occupational Optometry services to businesses at an average of J$5,000.00 per employee plus the
cost of their eyeglasses, contact lenses, or low vision devices.

* Get trained as an Optometrist and make a comfortable income while providing quality eye health services.

* Have a good math and science background? (CSEC, CAPE or higher) This could be your calling!

* Depending on their mode of practice, Optometry graduates could repay their student loans in 2-5 years.

For more information contact the Optometry Programme Coordinator: Dehanney.McLeod@aaims.edu.jm, or at (876) 543-1697.

Arvel Grant (MPH), Public Health and International Development Specialist, Chief Executive Officer. Arvel.grant@eyecarecaribbean.com

B Sc. Optometry Antigua

SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION STUDIES

Antigua & Barbuda

B SC. OPTOMETRY TO COMMENCE DELIVERY AT THE ANTIGUA STATE COLLEGE FOR EVENTUAL INTEGRATION TO THE UWI 4TH LANDED CAMPUS.

A RIGHT TO SIGHT INITIATIVE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AND THE CARIBBEAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

Preventing blindness and visual impairment; while restoring sight and creating opportunities for persons whose sight cannot be restored.

Continue reading“B Sc. Optometry Antigua”

Our Strategic Priorities and Programmes 2023 to 2030

Theme: Vision for everyone…inclusive services for people living with severe vision loss and other disability. During more than27 international (online) meetings; these priorities were advanced by people with: vision loss; The Caribbean Blindness Services Forum; members of the Interim Academic Committee; CCB’s eye care partners and member organizations of the Council; and approved by the Executive Committee and general membership in 2023. The priorities assume continuation of all existing programs, unless discontinued by the CEO. They will inform: Events, projects or programs of CCB, its members and partners.These priorities are the main agenda for the CEO’s meetings and conversations with …

2022 AND BEYOND – OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

  Theme: Vision for everyone…inclusive services for people living with severe vision loss and other disability.  During more than27 international (online) meetings; these priorities were advanced by people with:  vision loss; The Caribbean Blindness Services Forum; members of the Interim Academic Committee; CCB’s eye care partners and member organizations of the Council; and approved by the Executive Committee in 2022-2023. The priorities assume continuation of all existing programs, unless discontinued by the CEO. They will inform: Events, projects or programs of CCB, its members and   partners. These priorities are the main agenda for the CEO’s meetings and conversations with members …

Haitian Society of Help to the Blind (SHAA) and Services Provided to the Community

Established on February 23, 1952, the mission of the SHAA is to work to prevent blindness and contribute to improve the living conditions of the blind and visually impaired persons of Haiti. In this regard, it does advocacy work with decision makers for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and, at the same time, it offers community services. Service/eye health unit, with different components: Ophthalmologic consultation, workshop of cheap glasses production, sale of ophthalmic drugs. Community-based rehabilitation service including: Dissemination of functional rehabilitation techniques, psychosocial support, access to credit for income-generating activities. Integrated education service: Pedagogical support …

THE CARIBBEAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED COVID19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM – BULLETIN # 2 (August 2020)

This meeting was convened against the backdrop of the extra-ordinary: social, political and economic challenges, presented by a pandemic operating in tandem with the tropical hurricane season. Members noted the often (dire) situation of people living with special needs and opined the catastrophic effect which COVID-19 and an active hurricane season could have on an already vulnerable segment of the population.

This bulletin is the product of a series of zoom-based meetings which first convened at 2:00 PM on Friday July 3rd 2020 (Eastern Caribbean time) and supplemented by a number of written submissions including COVID related actions advanced by the World Blind Union.

CCB extends condolences to the family, friends and associates of William “Bill” Lightbourne

On behalf of our President Kerryann Ifill (of Barbados), The Members of the Executive Committee and the wider membership of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, I extend condolences to the family, friends and associates of William “Bill” Lightbourne. I first heard about Bill on a development visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands close to three decades ago. Everywhere I went (from Grand Turk to Provo) people told me about Bill Lightbourne. When I asked to meet him, they told me that he was a “Son of the Turks” but he was doing great works in the Bahamas. When …

CCB President’s 2019 Message

As President of the Caribbean Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCB-Eye Care Caribbean), I take this opportunity to greet you as we enter 2019. Parts of our organisation are still weathering some very choppy financial waters so sections of our programmes have been negatively impacted during 2018. I am pleased to note that we are at the beginning end of recovering from some personnel losses, which severely affected aspects of our operations in one country.