Panoramic view of a turquoise Caribbean bay with a pier, surrounded by lush green hills under a blue sky.

Regional Snapshot

Eastern Caribbean Eye Health

Explore the data

Explore key indicators related to eye health needs, service capacity, workforce, health financing, and access across Eastern Caribbean countries.

Open the dashboard full screen

Regional Snapshot

Antigua & Barbuda  |  Dominica  |  Grenada  |  Montserrat  |  Saint Kitts & Nevis  |  Saint Lucia  |  Saint Vincent & The Grenadines

Population & Demographics

609,229

Total population

  • 73.4 years average life expectancy
  • 87% household internet connectivity
  • 68 universal health coverage index

Eye Health Needs

77,000

People living with vision loss in the region

  • 13.7% average crude vision loss prevalence
  • 79% effective refractive error coverage (women)

Nearly 1 in 7 people across the region are estimated to be living with vision loss, while refractive error coverage averages 79% — suggesting opportunities to improve vision correction services.

Eye Care Workforce

34Ophthalmologists

20Optometrists

Ophthalmologists & Optometrists per 100,000 population

  • Antigua & Barbuda Ophthalmologists: 7.4
  • Dominica Ophthalmologists: 2.7 Optometrists: 5.5
  • Grenada Ophthalmologists: 4.0
  • Montserrat No data
  • Saint Kitts & Nevis Ophthalmologists: 3.9 Optometrists: 7.5
  • Saint Lucia Ophthalmologists: 5.0 Optometrists: 5.6
  • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines Ophthalmologists: 8.7 Optometrists: 1.9

Regional average: 5.3 per 100,000

Comparison by Country

CountryPopulationVision loss
Antigua & Barbuda93,00011,000
Dominica67,00010,000
Grenada117,00016,000
Montserrat4,386No data
Saint Kitts & Nevis47,843No data
Saint Lucia179,00024,000
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines101,00016,000

Key takeaways

  • Growing eye care needs — approximately 77,000 people are living with vision loss
  • Workforce varies across countries — ophthalmologist availability ranges from 2.7 to 8.7 per 100,000 population
  • Opportunity — existing digital connectivity provides a strong foundation for expanding tele-ophthalmology, screening, and regional eye health initiatives

Contact

Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation, & Quality

contact.cliq@theBSF.ca