Optical Clinics

Clear vision is essential for learning, development, and overall well-being. Yet, for many refugee children, access to eye care remains out of reach, with limited availability of vision screenings, corrective lenses, and essential treatments. Poor eyesight can hinder a child's ability to read, write, and participate in class, often leading to frustration and a lack of confidence. In many cases, children are unaware of their vision impairments and simply adapt to blurred sight as their reality. Without intervention, these challenges can persist into adulthood, affecting their ability to work, navigate their surroundings, and fully engage in their communities.

At Relief Across Borders, we recognise that sight is more than just a physical function. Our Optical Health Programme provides refugee children with comprehensive eye exams, prescription glasses, and treatment for common vision impairments, ensuring they can see the world more clearly.

In June 2025, we will launch our first day clinic in Tulkarm and Nur Shams Refugee Camps, two communities facing immense hardship. As families have been displaced from their homes, access to essential healthcare, including optical care, has become even more limited. Children who have already endured the trauma of violent conflict should not have to suffer the additional burden of untreated vision impairment.

This initiative will:

  • Provide Free Eye Examinations – Every child will receive a comprehensive vision screening conducted by qualified optometrists.

  • Fund All Necessary Treatments – From prescription glasses to essential eye care treatments, we will cover the costs to ensure no child is left without the vision support they need.

Our First Clinic - The Tulkarm Camps, West Bank

"Good vision is essential for a child’s education, confidence, and overall well-being. Yet, refugee communities face overwhelming barriers to accessing even the most basic eye care. Without screenings, glasses, or treatment, thousands of displaced children struggle with undiagnosed vision issues that hinder their ability to learn, play, and interact with the world around them. These challenges are entirely preventable, but only if the right support is in place.

Our optical clinic initiative is a crucial step toward ensuring that no child is left behind due to poor vision. By providing free eye exams and fully funded treatments, we are giving refugee children the opportunity to see clearly, learn effectively, and embrace their future without unnecessary obstacles."

— Rebekah, Founder of Relief Across Borders

Uncorrected Vision Issues in Childhood

Among Syrian refugee children, 17.2% had uncorrected distance vision impairment, and 4.7% had uncorrected near vision impairment, highlighting major unmet eye care needs.

Insufficient Research and Resources

The Palestinian population has a blindness rate ten times higher than in Western countries, yet there has been insufficient research to address this issue effectively.

Limited Access to Vision Screening

In Iraq's Bajed Kandala II camp, a vision screening of 1,041 children revealed that 9% required corrective measures, highlighting the unmet need for regular eye care services.

Visual Impairment Without Intervention

95.3% of Syrian refugee children with identified impairment had not visited an eye specialist in the past year, and 25.2% of parents expressed dissatisfaction with their children's vision.