The Optical Foundation
Making Eye Care Accessible
THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS
We Have the Power to Impact The Future of Optometry
We’re Doing Something About It!
The biggest cause of blindness is easily preventable by providing prescription glasses, yet approximately 84 million people in Africa are unnecessary blind or have bad vision, because they don’t have access to this relatively inexpensive solution.
It’s The Optical Foundation goal to make eye care accessible in the developing world through comprehensive eye examinations, education and research.
Our Impact
4166
Eye Exams
To date, we have conducted 4,166 comprehensive eye examinations for children in Ghana and provided glasses to those who need them—helping them see clearly in the classroom so they can learn, thrive, and reach their full potential in school.
556
Students Educated
To date, we have educated 556 Ghanaian optometry students, training them to become eye specialists by performing supervised eye tests in schools and communities. We are also committed to empowering women, helping them break barriers and build successful careers in optometry.
2
Lecturing Tours
We have provided 14 grants, including travel grants that enable recipients to attend international conferences and the Early Career Award, which includes a mentorship program. This program connects Ghanaian rising stars with experts to help advance their careers and build lifelong relationships.
14
Grants Awarded
To date, we have conducted two in-person lecturing tours in Ghana to enhance optometry education and professional development. Experts like Professor Eric Papas and Esma Aygun have delivered lectures at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the Ghanaian Optometric Association.
What We Do
The Optical Foundation’s mission is to make eye care accessible to everyone in Ghana, especially children. This will be achieved through propelling the field of optometry in Ghana through comprehensive eye examinations, education and research programs, which will create a self-reliant eye health care framework which will be duplicated across all developing nations in Africa.
What People Say About Us
-
![]()
“Great to have been part of this mission. Thanks, Carolina Kunnen for the opportunity you have created for us. Congratulations TOF💐”
Heinz Otchere, OD, Msc, PhD
-
![]()
“My experience with The Optical Foundation was revolutionary!!!”
Ebenezer Zaabaar, OD
-
![]()
“You have made such a huge impact in our lives, Carolina Kunnen. Cheers to this great milestone👏🏾🥂”
Asantewa Aboagye MacCarthy, OD
-
![]()
“Your love for what you do is admirable. Thank you for visiting Ghana and for the great presentation. Prof Papas presentation was great. He got me thinking a lot about how to improve eye research in Ghana. His phrase “watch this space” told me of the many gaps we have to fill in research. Keep the smile!”
Collins, OD
-
![]()
"I am glad you enjoyed your stay with us at KNUST. It was a pleasure to have you and Eric around. The lecture was great and the interactions we had was also insightful."
Emmanuel Kobia, OD
-
![]()
"Thank you for the thoughtful words! Meeting you at the Academy was truly a highlight, and I am so grateful for the recognition and support from The Optical Foundation."
Samson Darrah, OD
-
![]()
"No surprise this would happen [Luigi Bilotto becoming a mentor for TOF]. My first interaction with Luigi Bilotto was back in the days when he was setting up schools in Malawi and Kenya together with Kesi Naidoo and have continued till date. Great work and congratulations!"
Uchechukwu Osuagwu, PhD, MSc, OD, FAAO
-
![]()
“The students were very eager to learn and in wanting to know everything about the orthoptic disorders, their questions were almost endless. Very nice!”
Esma Aygun
-
![]()
"Ghana presents a challenging environment for health care but it is compelling how much benefit comes from the hard work of the professionals in the area and their careful use of the scarce resources available to them. Hopefully our visit did a little bit to help."
Eric Papas, PhD
Upcoming Events
-
Dream it.
2025 The Optical Foundation Early Career Award
Opening later this year for 2025, the Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions in Optometry honors an optometrist within six years post-graduation who has made a significant impact in the field.
The winner receives a one-year mentorship in their chosen focus area: Clinical, Academia, Industry, or Public Health. The award will be presented at the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA) General Meeting.
-
Build it.
The Optical Foundation Community
We’re excited to launch The Optical Foundation Community on Momo Board—a collaborative space for optometry and vision science professionals to share knowledge, ask questions, and support each other.
Engage in discussions, exchange career and study insights, and offer or request resume feedback. Stay tuned for videos on social media showcasing its features!
-
Grow it.
2025 Local eye care outreach projects
The Optical Foundation (TOF) aims to support small-scale, local eye health care projects initiated by Ghanaian optometrists or optometry students in 2025. TOF will provide support by way of funding and/or use of equipment for these approved projects.
If you have an eye health care project for which you would like to submit a request for funding, please click below for detailed information, guidelines and conditions.
Follow us on Social
