Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre on Thursday, 18 June 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Saint Lucia and RestoringVision, a United States-based non-profit organisation, to support the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative through the integration of presbyopia screening and near-vision eyeglass distribution into Saint Lucia’s public health system. The partnership could see up to 50,000 donated eyeglasses distributed across Saint Lucia.
The agreement will support a 12-month pilot programme to be delivered through primary healthcare facilities and community health worker platforms, bringing presbyopia screening and near-vision eyeglass distribution closer to communities throughout the island. The programme will help identify individuals experiencing vision challenges and connect them with appropriate corrective eyewear.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to address presbyopia, an age-related condition that affects the ability to see objects clearly at close range and can impact productivity, independence, and overall quality of life.
The signing follows Cabinet’s approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on 1 June 2026, authorising the establishment of a framework for collaboration between the Government of Saint Lucia and RestoringVision in support of the Vision Initiative. Through the partnership, Saint Lucia joins a growing network of countries working with RestoringVision to improve access to vision care through community-based screening and eyeglass distribution programmes.
Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the partnership, describing it as a practical initiative that aligns with his Administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Saint Lucians. He noted that better vision can open doors to greater independence, productivity and opportunity, making the collaboration with RestoringVision a meaningful investment in the well-being of the nation’s people.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to vision care through sustainable, community-based solutions. Beyond the donation of eyeglasses, RestoringVision will provide training and technical assistance to support the delivery of presbyopia screening services and strengthen local capacity for the long-term integration of vision care within Saint Lucia’s public health system.
Under the agreement, RestoringVision will donate and ship eyeglasses, while the Government of Saint Lucia will provide leadership for the initiative, facilitate the integration of services into public health platforms, support staff training, and oversee data collection and reporting.
The partnership also establishes a joint monitoring and evaluation framework to assess outcomes, measure impact and identify opportunities for continuous improvement throughout the pilot phase.
The Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for an initial period of twelve months.