Fred Hollows IOL Laboratory, Eritrea

The Fred Hollows IOL Laboratory in Asmara was established in 1994 with financial and technical support from The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The laboratory was set up with the objectives of manufacturing high quality, low cost intraocular lenses and medical products certified by international accreditation bodies.

The Foundation was instrumental in the start-up, development and management of the laboratory - including technical support for IOL production, international marketing of IOLs, process, material and product improvements and in the research and development of new products. 

Since opening in 1994, the lab has produced more than one million lens for local and export use.  The laboratory continues to produce high quality, low cost IOLs which are exported worldwide and it is now self-funded and managed by local staff.

The laboratory is committed to meeting the needs of cataract blind people in developing countries. It is also committed to providing Eritrea with a world class, high technology manufacturing base, not only generating new export markets but demonstrating that Eritrea and its people have the capacity to meet global standards and world class quality procedures.

These objectives are achieved by:

• Using state-of-the-art intraocular lens design and high volume production, ensuring that the economies of scale produce an intraocular lens which is affordable to those in need
• Adhering to Standard Operating Procedures which meet International Codes of Good Manufacturing Practice, ISO/ EN quality accreditation and CE Mark certification standards
• Staying at the forefront of leading edge technology, including modern Computer Aided Design manufacturing techniques and world standard Total Quality Management practices
• Promoting an inclusive working environment based on respect for the individual with a corporate commitment to continual career development through education and training

All manufacturing operations are conducted in Class M5.5 (US Fed Std 209) clean rooms while finished product packaging is conducted in Class M3.5 laminar flow workstations.

Quality is built into the product at every stage of the manufacturing process through more than 350 specifically written Standard Operating Procedures. The laboratory is also equipped with modern quality control testing facilities, including its own in-house microbiological, chemical and physical testing laboratory.

Contact

Fred Hollows IOL Laboratory
Address: 13 Fred Hollows Street, Asmara, Eritrea
Phone: + 291 112 0293
Fax: + 291 112 2532
Email: fhlab@tse.com.er