RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Parents’ willingness to pay for children’s spectacles in Cambodia JF BMJ Open Ophthalmology JO BMJ Open Ophth FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP e000654 DO 10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000654 VO 6 IS 1 A1 Anthea Burnett A1 Prakash Paudel A1 Jessica Massie A1 Neath Kong A1 Ek Kunthea A1 Varghese Thomas A1 Tim R Fricke A1 Ling Lee YR 2021 UL http://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000654.abstract AB Background/aim To determine willingness to pay for children’s spectacles, and barriers to purchasing children’s spectacles in Cambodia.Methods We conducted vision screenings, and eye examinations as indicated, for all consenting children at 21 randomly selected secondary schools. We invited parents/guardians of children found to have refractive problems to complete a willingness to pay for spectacles survey, using a binary-with-follow-up technique.Results We conducted vision screenings on 12 128 secondary schoolchildren, and willingness to pay for spectacles surveys with 491 parents/guardians (n=491) from Kandal and Phnom Penh provinces in Cambodia. We found 519 children with refractive error, 7 who had pre-existing spectacles and 14 recommended spectacles for lower ametropias. About half (53.2%; 95% CI 44.0% to 62.1%) of parents/guardians were willing to pay KHR70 000 (US$17.5; average market price) or more for spectacles. Mean willingness-to-pay price was KHR74 595 (US$18.6; 95% CI KHR64 505 to 86 262; 95% CI US$16.1 to US$21.6) in Phnom Penh and KHR55 651 (US$13.9; 95% CI KHR48 021 to 64 494; 95% CI US$12.0 to US$16.1) in Kandal province. Logistic regression suggested parents/guardians with college education (OR 6.8; p<0.001), higher household incomes (OR 8.0; p=0.006) and those wearing spectacles (OR 2.2; p=0.01) were more likely to be willing to pay ≥US$17.5. The most common reasons for being unwilling to pay US$17.5 were related to cost (58.8%). The most common barrier to spectacle wear was fear that spectacles weaken children’s eyes (36.0%).Conclusions With almost half of parents/guardians unwilling to pay for spectacles at the current average market price, financial support through a subsidised spectacle scheme might be required for children to access spectacles in Cambodia.