Restoring Sight, Renewing Hope: Teachers Trained to Screen Vision in Refugee Learning Centres
Restoring Sight, Renewing Hope: Teachers Trained to Screen Vision in Refugee Learning Centres
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 April 2025 - 40 teachers from refugee learning centres completed vision screening training this week at the Tunku Azizah Public Hospital in Kuala Lumpur to detect early signs of visual impairment among refugee students.
The programme addresses a fundamental yet often overlooked barrier to education: vision impairment. For refugee children—many of whom facing financial and systemic challenges in accessing affordable medical services—undiagnosed vision problems can significantly hinder learning and development.
Since December 2024, through a series of trainings, 108 teachers have been equipped with skills to identify early signs of vision impairment among refugee students and refer them for appropriate care.
This initiative, led by the Ministry of Health’s Allied Health Department, is part of the Malaysian Government’s broader efforts to reduce childhood blindness and improve health access for disadvantaged children in Malaysia. The project is implemented by the Amblyopia and Visual Impairment Screening (AVIS) group in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with technical guidance from the Brien Holden Foundation Australia, and funded by the L’Occitane Foundation.
A teacher attending a vision screening training organized by AVIS.
“The vision screening programme has been a vital step forward in supporting refugee children’s right to learn and thrive,” said Fairuz Alia Jamaluddin, head of education at UNHCR Malaysia. “This initiative has improved access to eye care for children who otherwise could not afford it. For many refugee students, this programme is the first time they’ve had access to something as simple and as life-changing as a pair of glasses.”
Dr. Duratul’Ain, Senior Principal Assistant Director of the Quality and Research Unit at the Allied Health Sciences Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, shared that since the launch of the teachers’ training program in December, trained teachers have begun conducting vision screenings in refugee schools.
The teachers have screened over 280 refugee children, identifying around 80 with concerns such as failed vision tests, ocular anomalies, squints, and eye diseases.
"The teachers’ training is instrumental for the project. We know that the teachers can conduct screenings very effectively, which allows us to offer quick interventions for the refugee children. I can see that the children are very excited—they’re all smiles now that their vision is clearer with the spectacles," Dr. Duratul’Ain added.
Trained teachers conduct vision screenings at their learning centres and report potential cases to the AVIS group for further assessment. Refugee children who require further treatment, medication, or surgery are fully supported under the programme. Brien Holden Foundation’s partner, international eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, provide glasses at no cost to refugee children requiring corrective lenses.
Fatimah Az Zahra, Clinical Optometrist at AVIS Vision Care, noted the profound impact of early diagnosis and support.
“Some of the students have really high eye power which were not diagnosed. They don’t even realize they need glasses to see well,” said Dr Fatimah. “They now feel more confident with their glasses, so it’s rewarding to witness this transformation. Children need to have good vision to see well, do well, and learn well.”
The project also empowers teachers in refugee learning centres by equipping them with skills to train their peers within the community to conduct vision screenings independently, cultivating a creating a model of inclusive and sustainable healthcare delivery.
Benjamin, a Chin refugee teacher from Myanmar attending the vision screening training organized by AVIS.
Benjamin, a 29-year-old Chin refugee teacher from Myanmar said, “I will be training another refugee teacher with the knowledge that I gained at this training today. We will be conducting a vision screening for all the refugee students in our school. This is good because I know that many students need help with their vision but cannot afford to seek treatment or get glasses for vision correction.”
As the programme continues, it is expected to reach even more refugee learning centres, further scaling up the capacity of teachers to safeguard refugee children's ocular health and support their academic journey. In doing so, it not only restores sight—but renews hope for a brighter, more inclusive future.
A hands-on vision screening experience attended by representative from refugee learning centers
