Primary eye care is a vital component of primary health care. Primary eye care includes the promotion of eye health care, prevention and treatment of conditions that may lead to visual impairment, and rehabilitation of those who are already blind. Despite the large network of primary care facilities in the South Asia region, large sections of the population lack access to effective primary eye care. The current issue focuses on both tested and novel approaches to primary eye care in South Asia, in particular the initiatives to integrate primary eye care with primary health care.