Fiji is a popular holiday destination, yet many Fijians don’t have access to the same eye healthcare level as we do.
Known for its stunning beaches and welcoming tourism, Fiji is also home to a rich cultural heritage. At its core are the iTaukei, the indigenous people whose deep-rooted traditions and strong sense of community are central to Fijian life. Alongside them are Indo-Fijians—descendants of Indian labourers brought to Fiji during the British colonial era—who have woven their own customs and vibrant traditions into the fabric of Fijian culture.
While Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific, driven by tourism, forestry, fishing, and mineral resources, many Fijians, especially those in rural areas, face challenges in accessing quality eye healthcare. We work closely with the Fijian government and local partners to bridge this gap, bringing essential eye care services to communities across the islands and helping to improve the quality of life for all Fijians.
The main cause of blindness is cataract, with only 47.5% of Fijians accessing the sight-restoring surgery they need. The leading cause for low-vision is uncorrected refractive errors, which in most cases can be easily fixed with a pair of glasses. Pacific Island nations make up seven of the top ten countries globally with the highest rate of diabetes. Diabetes eye disease has quickly become the third most common cause of low vision in Fiji.
Almost half of the country’s eye care workers are based in the capital, Suva, and outreach teams regularly travel to rural areas to reach people in need. Smaller eye clinics throughout Fiji are under-resourced, and travel costs, plus the physical difficulty of getting around, are barriers for many people
In 2002, there was no eye care training available for nurses in the Pacific Islands, and the only eye care training for doctors was in Papua New Guinea. In 2006 we built the Pacific Eye Institute in Suva. It provides eye care training for doctors and nurses from across the Pacific region. It also offers a full range of eye care services at Suva’s public hospital and is the base for our Outreach Team. Made up of trained Pacific Island doctors and nurses, the team travels around the region providing eye care services to people in need.
In 2015 we launched a full-service Mobile Eye Clinic that travels around Fiji’s two main islands. The service has improved access to eye care in remote areas, with screening teams travelling ahead to small villages and referring patients to the nearby Mobile Eye.
Currently in Fiji, there are:
2023 training highlights:
2023 eye care highlights:
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