Seva’s research shows that a child receiving glasses at age five can earn 78% more during their lifetime—just one of the many reasons early eye care matters. At Bharatpur Eye Hospital in Nepal, a new pilot program is making sure even the youngest children get the care they need to see clearly from the start.

Using the Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener—a fast, portable, and kid-friendly device—staff are detecting vision problems in children ages 3 to 5. These little ones are often too young for school screenings, but now they’re getting the care they need, early in life.

The Spot device is easy to use (just 30 minutes of training!), gives quick results with fun lights and sounds, and makes data sharing a breeze via USB or Wi-Fi.

The program is off to a strong start, screening 83% of eligible children through community events and home visits; 84% of those referred followed up at the clinic. More than 50% received glasses or other treatment. 

Along the way, staff have learned how to streamline screenings, engage parents (with videos and art projects!), and keep fidgety kids focused—valuable insights for expanding this work even further.