A Client Story: Eye Screening Van for Tonga

A new mobile eye screening van has transformed the way eye care is delivered across Tonga, bringing essential services directly to communities that need them most.
The van, generously donated by a Bradley Nuttall client, marks a significant step forward in improving access to eye care throughout the country. Equipped with sight-saving tools and diagnostic equipment, the van enables the team to travel across Tonga and deliver outreach services to remote and underserved areas.

Reaching Communities Beyond the Clinic

While the eye care team provides high-quality services from the Vaiola Hospital Eye Clinic on Tongatapu, many patients have struggled to access treatment. Around 75% of Tonga’s population lives in rural villages spread across four main island groups, making travel to central facilities difficult and often costly. For many, barriers such as transport costs, time away from work, and geographic isolation have meant missed appointments or incomplete treatment. As a result, preventable eye conditions have continued to progress unnecessarily.
The mobile service addresses this challenge directly by taking care to the people, rather than expecting people to travel to care.

Improving Early Detection and Treatment

The introduction of the screening van expands access but also enables earlier detection of serious eye conditions.
This is particularly important for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy—the leading cause of avoidable blindness among working-age adults. Early diagnosis is critical, as timely treatment can prevent permanent vision loss.
In Tonga, an estimated 19% of people aged 25–64 are living with diabetes, many of whom remain undiagnosed and unaware of the risks to their vision. By bringing screening services into communities, the eye care team can identify issues sooner and intervene before it’s too late.

A Generous Gift Making a Lasting Impact

The van was made possible through the generosity of a major donor, whose support has funded both the vehicle and its operating costs over several years.
Reflecting on her decision to give, she shared:
“My sight is the sense which I most value – to see the smiles on the faces of my children and friends, to interact with my precious four children and nine grandchildren and watch them growing, developing and achieving goals.
It distresses me greatly that there are people in this world who are needlessly blind or living with restricted vision.
I have long admired the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation and feel honoured to support the provision of eye care to outlying areas of Tonga.”
Originally intending to leave a bequest, she chose instead to contribute during her lifetime, making an initial donation in 2021, followed by annual contributions to support the van’s operation.

Delivering Care, Every Day

The van is dedicated exclusively to the eye care team and operates five days a week. A designated driver transports clinicians to rural communities and also assists patients by bringing them from surrounding areas to clinics when needed.
Plans are also in place for the van to travel to outer islands, further extending its reach and ensuring even the most remote communities can access essential eye care.

Charitable Giving

This initiative represents more than just a new vehicle, it’s a shift in how care is delivered and will help prevent avoidable blindness, improve quality of life, and strengthen community health across Tonga.
Charitable giving allows donors to support causes they care about, creating meaningful impact in their communities while also providing a sense of purpose and fulfilment. It can become a deliberate way to align wealth with personal values and strengthen legacy.
More on The Fred Hollows Foundation can be found here.