Impact
Cumulative Impact
Corrective Pairs Distributed
5.5m
Countries Reached
43
Increase in Productivity
22-32%
Economic Impact created
$1.2Bn
2018 Results
Corrective Pairs Distributed
1.17m
Income Potential Released
$253Mn
Less than $4/day
78%
First Time Wearers
53%
School Children in Glasses
176k
People Screened Directly
291k
Garment Workers Screened
59k
Drivers Screened
20k
Partners
385
Evidence of Impact
VisionSpring conducts assessments and studies to build the evidence base that underpins our theory of change. Our goal is for low income people to utilize eyeglasses as a means to improve their daily functioning, productivity and income earning potential, which create the possibility of a more prosperous life.
An RCT conducted amongst tea pickers found that providing reading glasses increased productivity by 22% on average and up to 32% among workers over the age of 50.
2017, Assam, India, Published in the Lancet Global Health
A program assessment conducted amongst truckers found that 25% could not meet the standard visual acuity requirements of being able to read signs at 20-30 meters, as required for a driving license.
2019, Transit Hubs, India
A RCT demonstrated that correcting vision in students creates learning results equivalent to gaining one-third to one-half of a year of additional schooling.
2014, China
90% of the burden of presbyopic vision impairment falls on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where rates of presbyopic correction with glasses are as low as 10%.
November 2018, The Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology
Theory of Change
Our theory of change states “Eyeglasses improve daily functioning, productivity, and earning potential, creating a greater likelihood of a pathway out of poverty.”
Based on the above statement, VisionSpring's programs are designed to advance social impact along three themes: See to Earn for adults to enhance earning potential, See to Learn for school going children so that they learn better, and See to be Safe for truck drivers and allied transport workers so that all road users are safe.
