VisionSpring’s Post

Yes, it’s a significant issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people worldwide have vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed1. This includes people who need glasses but do not have access to them due to various reasons such as affordability, lack of awareness, and limited access to vision care services2. Addressing this gap is crucial because clear vision can significantly improve quality of life, productivity, and educational outcomes2. Efforts are being made globally to provide affordable and accessible eye care to those in need. It’s a reminder of how important it is to support initiatives that aim to improve vision care. Have you come across any local initiatives or organizations working on this issue?

This is a great example of how 13th-century technology (👓) can help people increase their income and return to the workforce. 🕰️💼 When watching, I had the following thoughts: 1️⃣ We often look to the latest technology for solutions to modern challenges like workforce skills and unemployment. Yet, we might overlook what is already available (see posts about how AI will change the world). 💡🔍 2️⃣ User understanding and in-market expertise are crucial. Without these, data on underemployment and unemployment alone is unlikely to highlight glasses as a viable solution. 📊🔎 3️⃣ "1 billion people do not have access to the glasses they need," highlighting how crucial access is for achieving positive health and socioeconomic outcomes, especially in developing economies. 👓🌍 As the World Economic Forum post outlines, effective diagnosis and providing the right prescription require significant human resources (maybe AI could help here eventually). 🤔🤖 This makes me wonder what other problems could be solved using existing solutions or technologies, even if they're not 800 years old. Interested in identifying which technologies—new or old—could help your organisation overcome challenges? Give me or Community & Kelsey a shout! Let’s connect and explore how we can make a positive impact together. #Innovation #Technology #HealthAccess #CommunityAndKelseyThoughtsThursday 🌍💡

World Economic Forum video about (lack of) access to glasses, specifically OTC reading glasses…and how reading glasses can directly impact one’s ability to work and make money. OTC reading glasses are relatively easy to train local healthcare workers on providing…and also relatively inexpensive. Global inequities in healthcare are linked to bigger socioeconomic and physical access to healthcare providers, including a (relatively simple) eye chart.

Great success 

Small steps make huge difference

How assistive devices as simple as glasses can improve quality of life (QOL).

It is so important to address refractive error.

Small steps such as provision of reading glasses, nutritional support, and disease screening can help so many to earn better, enjoy their daily tasks, and live better. Employers need to understand this to take steps in the right direction

How accessible are glasses and eye care to everyone? Non-profit groups VisionSpring and BRAC ran an experiment in Bangladesh. A study involved 824 people from 56 villages in Bangladesh, aged 35-65 and far-sighted, so unable to see things up close. Researchers gave half of the participants reading glasses. Monthly income among the group with glasses increased by 33% in 8 months compared to those who didn't have glasses. Some participants who had been unable to work started earning again. Globally, 1 billion people do not have the glasses they need. Glasses are not always easy to obtain for those living in poverty and remote areas in developing countries. In India, over 100 million people need glasses but they don't have access to eye care and glasses. Big Indian eye care companies like Titan Eyeplus and Lenskart.com can help to bridge this gap. Tata Group is known for running many social welfare schemes. Peyush Bansal, CEO, Lenskart.com also expressed many times in Shark Tank India that he is interested in supporting social causes. Such organizations in collaboration with NGOs and Indian Government can really help to make eye care accessible to everyone. Adequate eye care access can have many benefits beyond our physical well-being from raising incomes to opening up new opportunities.

According to global statistics, an estimated one billion individuals lack access to the necessary eyewear. The provision of sufficient healthcare services can yield numerous advantages extending beyond mere physical health. Employers have a significant opportunity to contribute to enhancing accessibility, and programs to help, such as the initiative mentioned below in Bangladesh, are imperative to the global workforce. #healthcare #workforce #health