Research and Publications

We ensure that our work is based on the latest available and best evidence.  To add to the body of knowledge that informs good practice in eye health care, we have undertaken research wherever possible into existing health practice and levels of blindness in countries where we work.

Monitoring and evaluating our programs ensures that we both know, and are accountable for, the difference we make to people's lives and the communities we support. 

Du Toit R, Ramke J, Palagyi A, Brian G. Spectacles in Fiji: acquisition, use and willingness to pay. Clin Exp Optom, 2008:91(6):538-544

Du Toit R, Palagyi A, Ramke J, Brian G, Lamoureax E.  Development and validation of a vision-specific quality of life questionnaire for Timor-Leste. Opthal Vis Sci, 2008:49(10):4284-9.

Du Toit R, Palagyi A, Ramke J, Brian G. Eye health in East Timor revisited.  Ophthalmology 2008;115:1263-1264.

Ramke J, Palagyi A, du Toit R, Brian G. Using assessment of willingness to pay to improve a Cambodian spectacle service. Br J Ophthalmol; 2008;92:170-4.

Donovan L, Brian G, du Toit R: A device to aid the teaching of retinoscopy in low-resource countries. Br J Ophthalmol; 2008;92:294.

Palagyi A, Ramke J, du Toit R, Brian, G. Eye care in Timor-Leste: a population-based study of utilization and barriers. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2008;36:47-53.

Williams C, Szetu J, Ramke J, du Toit R, Palagyi A, Brian G. Evaluation of the first five years of a national eye health program in Vanuatu. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2008 36:162-7.

Ramke J, du Toit R, Palagyi A, Williams C, Brian G. Public sector refraction and spectacle dispensing in low resource countries of the Western Pacific. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2008; 36: 339-347.

Ramke J, du Toit R, Palagyi A, Brian G, Naduvilath T. Correction of refractive error and presbyopia in Timor-Leste. Br J Ophthalmol; 2007;91;860-866

Ramke J, Palagyi A, Naduvilath T, du Toit R, Brian G. Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Timor-Leste. Br J Ophthalmol; 2007;91;1117-1121.

Ramke J, du Toit R, Brian G. Recycled donated spectacles: experiences of eye care personnel in the Pacific - response. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2007;35:392.

Brian G, du Toit R, Ramke J. An assessment of recycled spectacles donated to a developing country - response. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2007;35:393.

Ramke J, Ximenes D, Williams C, du Toit R, Palagyi A, Brian G. An eye health strategy for Timor-Leste: the result of INGDO-Government partnership and a consultative process. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2007;35:394.

Ramke J, Brian G, du Toit R. Eye disease and care at hospital clinics in Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol; 2007;35, 627-634.

Du Toit R, Ramke J, Brian G. Tolerance to prism induced by readymade spectacles: setting and using a standard. Optom Vis Sci, 2007;84:1053-1059.

Ramke J, Williams C, Ximenes L, Ximenes D, Palagyi A, du Toit R, Brian G. Public-private partnership provides spectacles for Timor-Leste. J Comm Eye Health, 2007;20:,54.

Du Toit R, Ramke J, Naduvilath T, Brian G. Awareness and use of eye care services in Fiji. Ophthalmic Epidemiol, 2006;13, 309-20.

Garap JN, Sheeladevi S, Shamanna B, Nirmalan PK, Brian G, Williams C. Blindness and vision impairment in the elderly of Papua New Guinea. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 335-41.

Brian G, Ramke J, Szetu J, Le Mesurier R, Moran D, du Toit R. Towards standards of outcome quality: a protocol for the surgical treatment of cataract in developing countries. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 383-7.

Ramke J, du Toit R, Brian G. An assessment of recycled spectacles donated to a developing country. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 671-6.

Brian G, du Toit R, Wilson D, Ramke J. Affordable readymade spectacles for use in blindness prevention programs: setting standards of quality. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 722-4.

Brian, G, Palagyi A, Ramke J, du Toit R, Naduvilath T. Cataract and its surgery in Timor-Leste. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 870-9.

Garap JN, Sheeladevi S, Brian G, Shamanna B, Nirmalan PK, Williams C. Cataract and its surgery in Papua New Guinea. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 880-5.

Pahau D, Melengas S, Garap JN, Brian G. Monitoring cataract surgery outcomes in Papua New Guinea. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 900.

Yap A, Garap JN, Melengas S, du Toit R, Brian G. An assessment of clinical notes in Papua New Guinea. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 2006;34, 900.

Du Toit R, Soong K, Brian G and Ramke J. Quantification of refractive error: comparison of autorefractor and focometer. Optom Vis Sci, 2006;83, 582-8.

Research on the Pacific nation of Tuvalu carried out by staff of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ has revealed that donating recycled spectacles to people in developing countries can create more problems than it solves.  Read more.