Focus on Vision, a Dutch company, produces very low cost adjustable glasses for the developing world. The company says it can produce its Focusspec glasses for about $4 a pair, a price its founders say will fall substantially, once the glasses are made in large volume. -Michel de Groot for The International Herald Tribune
Interesting article from the New York Times, discussing the staggering cost of poor eyesight around the world … “A study published in a World Health Organization journal in June estimated the cost in lost output at $269 billion a year.” Wow.
The article goes on to highlight several efforts to distribute inexpensive glasses throughout the world on a large scale including technology such as self-adjusting glasses (see Vernon D’s post about this technology).
Here is an excerpt of the article by Douglas Heingartner and a link for the full deal …
VEGHEL, the Netherlands — With AIDS, malaria and other diseases costing millions of lives every year, worrying about the vision of people in the developing world may seem like an indulgence.
But supplying glasses for the world’s poor may be one of the most valuable investments around. Hundreds of millions of people — some put the estimates as high as two billion — do not have the corrective lenses that would allow them to lead better, more productive lives.
A study published in a World Health Organization journal in June estimated the cost in lost output at $269 billion a year. Moreover, tackling vision problems early can help prevent later blindness.
Via New York Times
Under the umbrella of Rotary International we are expanding a program to allow persons in developing countries to make reading glasses for $0.45 USD per pair material cost. This program not only improves the vision of the 60% or larger number of people that can be helped with reading glasses, but the project allows persons at the local grass roots level to earn money for their efforts.
After a very basic testing procedure, the glasses can be made by a man, woman, or young person having the ability to use basic hand tools. With only hand tools and a bending jig a pair of glasses can be fabricated in 20 minutes or less using stainless steel wire and an acrylic lens.
We have the project in 15 countries and now it is beginning on a large scale in India. It can provide a local solution to a local problem.
We feel this project has the potential to help many, many thousands of people around the world in areas with vision needs.