Building stronger eye health systems in Indonesia

Stories | Published: October 8, 2026

Between April 2023 and March 2026, CBM Australia and local partner Yayasan Tanpa Batas implemented the Inclusive System for Effective Eye Care (I-SEE) project in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia. Working with communities, health workers and local government, the project aimed to improve access to quality, inclusive eye health services, particularly for people facing the greatest barriers to care.

Reaching people with vital eye health information

For many people in NTT, accessing eye care is not simple.

Specialist services are concentrated in major towns, meaning people living in rural areas often face long journeys, high travel costs and limited information about where to seek help. For older people, people with disabilities and those experiencing poverty, these barriers can be even greater.

Over the three years, more than 77,000 people received eye health education, helping families better understand eye conditions and the treatment options available to them. More than 37,000 people were referred for eye examinations, while over 3,000 people were referred for cataract surgery.

Communities driving change

A key driver of this success was the involvement of local community health volunteers. More than 2,300 volunteers were trained to raise awareness, identify potential eye health concerns and connect people with services. As trusted members of their communities, they played an important role in encouraging people to seek care and addressing fears and misconceptions about treatment.

Strengthening local health services

The project also strengthened the capacity of local health services. A total of 28 doctors and 19 nurses received eye health training, while 75 primary health centres had trained Community Eye Nurses. Health workers reported greater confidence in identifying, managing and referring eye conditions, helping to improve the quality and efficiency of care.

Making eye care more inclusive

Importantly, the project worked to ensure services were inclusive. People with disabilities were involved not only as service users, but also as trainers, peer counsellors and advocates. Health facilities introduced accessibility improvements and staff received disability inclusion training to help ensure services were more responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.

Creating lasting change

Beyond individual services, the project helped strengthen the systems that support eye health. Improved coordination between health facilities, hospitals and government agencies, combined with stronger eye health data systems, helped local decision-makers better plan and advocate for eye health services. Many stakeholders expressed their commitment to continue and expand these approaches beyond the life of the project.

The final evaluation found that integrating eye health education, screening and referral into existing government and community health systems offers a sustainable pathway for the future. By building local capacity, strengthening partnerships and promoting disability inclusion, the project has helped lay the foundations for more accessible and inclusive eye care in NTT for years to come.

CBM Australia acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Read the full evaluation summary here.

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https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/i-see-indonesia

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