When combating this problem, the focus has often been on increasing the availability of optometry services and increase the knowledge of parents and teachers on early identification of students’ refractive errors. In Hanoi and HCMC, the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) has conducted several projects that provide education and free glasses to students, however there is no clear answer about the use of these project glasses among recipients.

In August 2011, RTCCD was commissioned by FHF to design and implement a project entitled ^"Attitudes of parents, students and teachers towards glasses use in Hanoi and HCMC^". The study will provide research-based evidence which assist the FHF project to adjust its strategies to more appropriately support students’ eyesight needs. It will also seek to create effective public information for students, families and teachers regarding the prevention of refractive errors.

The data will be collected from 16 primary and lower secondary schools in Hanoi and HCMC rural and urban areas (8 schools in each city). The methodology employed consists of self-administered questionnaires (lower secondary students, parents having child with symptoms of refractive errors), semi-structured interview (primary pupils, parents having child with and without identified refractive errors) and in-depth interviews (head teachers, school managers and school health workers). The study will be launched in 4 months (September to December 2011).