Supported by Optometry Giving Sight, the Equipping The Future Initiative provides essential clinical instruments to students worldwide, strengthening optometry education and sustainable vision care.

About ETF

  • Mission:
    The Equipping the Future (ETF) program, led by OPTOGLOBE and funded by Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), addresses the critical gap in access to essential clinical instruments for optometry students worldwide. By providing tools, collecting global data, and promoting advocacy, ETF strengthens student competence and contributes to a sustainable eye care workforce.
  • Vision:
    Every optometry student, regardless of country or financial barriers, has access to the basic clinical instruments needed to train effectively and deliver quality eye care.
  • Phase Overview: Phase 1 (November 2025–September 2026) Data collection and student engagement across 10+ countries.

Why It Matters

  • Many optometry students cannot afford essential clinical tools.
  • Limited access affects training, confidence, and future patient care.
  • ETF, funded by Optometry Giving Sight, provides a sustainable model for governments, institutions, and industry to support students globally.

How It Works

  1. Data & Needs Assessment: Gather insights from students worldwide.
  2. Pilot Instrument Support: Procure and distribute essential clinical instruments based on defined criteria.
  3. Advocacy & Partnerships: Engage local associations, governments, and industry stakeholders to strengthen long-term support.
  4. Impact Reporting: Publish annual global reports highlighting student needs, progress, and outcomes, made possible through OptometryGivingSight support.

Get Involved

Students can contribute to the Equipping the Future (ETF) program by completing the ETF Survey, sharing their experiences and needs regarding access to essential clinical instruments.
This information will guide instrument support, inform global reports, and help shape the future of optometry education worldwide.

Partners, sponsors, volunteers, or mentors who wish to collaborate with ETF on advocacy, instrument procurement, or student engagement activities can contact us via email at info.optoglobe@gmail.com, etf@optoglobe.org, or enquiries@optoglobe.org to learn how to get involved and support the initiative.  

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is our Funding partner, supporter, and global advocate for accessible vision care.

Reports & Resources

  • Annual Report on Global Student Access to Instruments
    • Expected release: September 2026
    • Presents comprehensive findings from ETF’s global survey of optometry students.Highlights gaps in access to essential clinical instruments, financial barriers, and training challenges across countries. Supported by Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), the report informs students, schools, professional associations, and partners about critical needs and progress.


    Guidelines for Advocacy and Instrument Support
    • Encourages student associations, schools, professional associations, partners, and funding organizations to adopt the ETF model in their countries.
    • Provides guidance on:
      • Collaborating with OPTOGLOBE to implement ETF locally
      • Advocating to governments to better equip optometry schools or set up student funding
      • Using ETF data effectively and encouraging students to complete surveys
      • Joining ETF survey plans for countries not yet included
      • Member organizations sending a representative to the ETF Core Committee