B. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their households in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weaver’s clusters in various locations in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 35,000 artisans, weavers and their households in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, conduct eye-screenings and distribute/dispense eyeglasses to those who require, as well as includes the referral of cataract and other complex eye disease cases to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Jaipur Rugs Foundation.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1.Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 8,619 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of Bikaner, Jaipur, Alwar, Sikar and Dausa in Rajasthan, India, among them 46% (n = 3,922) were males and 54% (n = 4,697) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 53% (n = 4,576) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 10% (n = 883) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 70% (n = 621) identified with suspected cataract and 30% (n = 262) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4.Eyeglasses distribution: 69% (n = 3,154) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 58% (n = 1,836) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 42% (n = 1,318).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 94% (n = 2,949) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 69%.
Please Note: 8,619 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 3,154 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is currently ongoing and should get completed by December 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Nayanjyoti Rongdowari
Gender: Male
Age: 44 years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Rabarguri, Tinsukia, Assam, India
Nayanjyoti often complained of blurred vision and a frequent headache while picking tea leaves in the tea garden. He got his eyes examined and received eyeglasses from VSF team. He expressed his gratitude to VSF team for near vision correction. Now, he felt more confident and could work for longer hour using the eyeglasses.
H. Improving the lives and productivity of the community members and their households in Punjab, India through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
The objective of Clear Vision Punjab is to touch 1 million in Punjab and in Chandigarh, India, by means of doing eye. Eyeglasses would be provided to them who require them.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1.Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 3,986 community members and their families in various location in Sangrur district, Punjab, India, among them 48% (n = 1,910) were males and 52% (n = 2,076) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 56% (n = 2,248) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 509) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 86% (n = 435) identified with suspected cataract and 14% (n = 74) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 61% (n = 1,362) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 45% (n = 612), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 53% (n = 718) and Pre-Cuts: 2% (n = 32).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 91% (n = 1,234) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 61%.
Please Note: 3,986 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 1,362 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is ongoing and would get completed in December 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Gaumati
Gender: Female
Age: 74 years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Nathusa, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Gaumati registered herself as she was experiencing blurred vision which was causing a hindrance in her day-to-day household activities and work. She was taking help of her family members to perform her chores on a regular basis. She received eyeglasses from VSF which made it possible for her to work in full potential which brought in economic satisfaction and increased the rate of productivity. She expressed her gratitude towards the VSF team who assisted her throughout the process and gave her the magic of clear vision.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers, and their households in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, Odisha through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and outreach Program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weaver’s clusters in various locations in the Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, Odisha, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 10,000 artisans, weavers and their households in the Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, Odisha, conduct eye-screenings and distribute/dispense eyeglasses to those who require, as well as includes the referral of cataract and other complex eye disease cases to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment. This program was conducted in collaboration with Ideal Development Agency (IDA).
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 2,455 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, Odisha, India, among them 53% (n = 1,295) were males and 47% (n = 1,160) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 56% (n = 1,383) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 294) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 65% (n = 192) identified with suspected cataract and 35% (n = 102) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 76% (n = 1,052) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 53% (n = 557) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 47% (n = 495).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 97% (n = 1,024) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 76%.
Please Note: 2,455 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 1,052 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is currently ongoing and should get completed by December 2022.
Programs/Projects Undertaken between 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022:
A. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their households in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weavers’ clusters in various locations in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. The objective of the project is to reach out to 50,000 artisans, weavers, and their households. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Fair Trade Forum-India.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 29,793 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of Delhi-NCR, Varanasi and Mirzapur districts in Uttar Pradesh, Barmer in Rajasthan, Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra and Bhuj in Gujarat, India, among them 49% (n = 14,494) were males and 51% (n = 15,299) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 60% (n = 17,915) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 3,830) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 61% (n = 2,340) identified with suspected cataract and 39% (n = 1,489) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 73% (n = 13,133) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 53% (n= 6,918) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 47% (n = 6,215).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 79% (n = 10,437) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 73%.
Please Note:29,793 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 13,133 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is currently ongoing and should get completed by September 2022.
G. Improving the lives and productivity of the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts in Assam through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Outreach Program for the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various locations in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 5,000 tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various locations in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam, conduct eye-screenings and distribute/dispense eyeglasses to those who require, as well as includes the referral of cataract and other complex eye disease cases to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment. This program was in collaboration with Solidaridad and Baitulmal Foundation.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 5,096 tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various locations in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam, India, among them 43% (n = 2,180) were males and 57% (n = 2,916) were females.
2.Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 74% (n = 3,787) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 671) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 80% (n = 536) identified with suspected cataract and 20% (n = 135) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 95% (n = 3,601) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 66% (n = 2,380) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 34% (n = 1,221).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 87% (n = 3,140) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6.Post-coverage rate in the population was 95%.
Please Note: 5,096 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 3,601 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project got completed on 22nd June 2022.
E. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their households in the Ichalkaranji clusters in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra India through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Outreach Program in the for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weaver’s clusters in various locations in Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to make Ichalkaranji, also known as the ‘Manchester of India’, a Clear Vision Cluster and make it a Model Cluster for other such weaver and artisan clusters around the country to emulate by reaching out to 10,000 artisans, weavers, and their households in Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. This program was conducted in collaboration with Baitulmal Foundation.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 10,008 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India, among them 45% (n = 4,545) were males and 55% (n = 5,463) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 78% (n = 7,843) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 10% (n = 1,008) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 76% (n = 769) identified with suspected cataract and 24% (n = 239) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 95% (n = 7,462) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 53% (n = 3,946) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 47% (n = 3,516).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 66% (n = 4,895) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6.Post-coverage rate in the population was 95%.
Please Note: 10,008 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 7,642 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project got completed on 3rd June 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Basira Mulla
Gender: Female
Age: 50 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Mujawar, Gavbhagh, Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Basira visited the outreach program and got her eyes tested. She complained of blurred vision and issues while threading a needle. She stated that the unclear vision has brought lot of hindrance in her being effective and efficient. She was provided with reading eyeglasses and post that, she could thread a needle in lesser time, and produce the final product with more fineness.
F. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers, and their households in the Jhajjar cluster in Haryana through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye- Screenings and Outreach Program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weavers cluster in Jhajjar in Haryana, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to a pilot group of artisans, weavers and their households in the weaver and artisan cluster in Jhajjar in Haryana, conduct eye-screenings and distribute/dispense eyeglasses to those who require, as well as includes the referral of cataract and other complex eye disease cases to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment. This programme was conducted in collaboration with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a pilot group of a total of 198 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan cluster in Jhajjar in Haryana, India, among them 42% (n=83) were males and 58% (n=115) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 70% (n=138) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 20% (n=39) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 51% (n=20) identified with suspected cataract and 49% (n=19) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 100% (n=138) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 49% (n= 67) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 51% (n=71).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 99% (n=136) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 100%.
Please Note: 198 eye-screenings were done as a pilot on 7th April 2022 and 138 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Nirmal Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 42 Years
Occupation: Farmer
Location: Bodhrukha, Sangrur, Punjab, India
Nirmal Singh is a farmer and was having trouble in reading books and the newspaper. He complained of blurred. He was examined and was provided with new eyeglasses. He was happy as with his new eyeglasses he can read texts without any struggle. This helped him in regaining his confidence at his workplace which led to higher productivity and efficiency.
I. Improving the quality of lives and productivity of the factory workers including improved workplace safety by conducting the Clear Vision Workplaces program in the factories in Delhi NCR, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation piloted its COVID protocols in a factory in India to ensure its new COVID Safety toolkit could be used effectively. VisionSpring Foundation’s Clear Vision Workplace program is designed to increase the coverage of vision screening and eyeglass wearing for working-age adults in India. Teams work with brands, national factory associations and individual factory management teams to integrate into the workplace regular vision screening and increase workers’ access to high quality eyeglasses.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 4,056 factory workers in the Spark Minda factories in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, in the factory units of Shahi Exports located in Mysore, Karnataka and in the Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre in New Delhi, India, among them 63% (n = 2,572) were males and 37% (n = 1,484) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 35% (n = 1,434) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 4% (n = 150) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 9% (n = 14) identified with suspected cataract and 91% (n = 136) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 99% (n = 1,416) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 45% (n = 638) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 55% (n = 778).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 83% (n = 1,175) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 99%.
Please Note: 4,056 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022, and 1,416 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is ongoing and would get completed in December 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Omprakash Mahesh Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 50 Years
Occupation: Factory worker
Location: Spark Minda, Murbad, Thane, Maharashtra, India
Omprakash, was examined by VSF team and received a pair of eyeglasses. He complained of blurred and unclear vision which was an obstacle for him while working with cables at the factory and impacted his productivity at work. This also caused hindrance in his growth and financial stature. Omprakash expressed his as he could experience the magic of clear vision immediately after putting on his glasses. He was now able to work for longer hours and be more productive.
J. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through the provision of eyeglasses
Locations: Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand in India
VSF collaborated with multiple mission-aligned organizations/bodies such as Delhi Development Commission, Kamal Welfare Trust (Maharashtra), The National Association for Blind (Madhya Pradesh), Rotary Eye Institute (Gujarat), Urjavya Foundation (Jharkhand), Kamal Sundaram Foundation (Maharashtra), Community Eye Care Foundation (Maharashtra) and Shishu Vihar Trust (Gujarat).
VSF conducted eye-screenings of 41,177 children and provided 9,825 eyeglasses from April 2022 to June 2022. These eyeglasses helped children to see clearly and improved learning outcomes as 80% of learning is through vision. It helps children to actively participate in school and would contribute to making their future bright.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of children screened: Screened 41,177 children in various states of India.
2. Eyeglasses distribution: 9,825 eyeglasses were distributed to the children who had refractive error.
3. First Time Wearers (FTWs): Out of 41,777 children, 3,750 were the first-time wearers.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Neelakshi
Gender: Female
Class: 9th
School: Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya
Beneficiary: Student
Location: Chhatarpur, Delhi, India
Neelakshi had refractive error and unclear vision for many years. She was unable to focus on her studies and didn’t participate in any co-curricular activity due to unclear vision. Neelakshi was delighted as now she can focus on her studies and participate in her school activities.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Vanu Devi
Gender: Female
Age: 30 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Puniyo Ki Basti, Barmer, Rajasthan, India
Vanu Devi was experiencing difficulties in accomplishing her daily work such as weaving, picking, stitching, tying in, drawing in, sizing, selection of yarns and threads etc. due to near vision problem. She was examined and received pair of reading glasses, which boosted her confidence in delivering her job more efficiently. She thanked the VSF team who helped her in getting the magic of clear vision which automatically led to more effectiveness at her work.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Hitesh Mayivad
Gender: Male
Age: 61 years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Hatadi Mundra, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Hitesh was experiencing blurred vision due to which he has been having frequent haziness and dizziness. Further, he broke his eyeglasses three weeks back and has unable to get them repaired. With new eyeglasses from VisionSpring, he stated that his productivity has increased and it’s not necessary for him to take frequent breaks and rest. He thanked the entire VSF team for providing new pair of eyeglasses.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Jagunnath Lengare
Gender: Male
Age: 48 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Jagunnath has been working in the power loom industry for more than 20 years. He complained of blurred vision which was also causing irritation in eyes. He visited the outreach program where he registered himself and got his eyes examined and received eyeglasses. He mentioned that with eyeglasses he can focus for a longer time and deliver more units at work.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Baphar Ali
Gender: Male
Age: 56 years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Kakku, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Baphar Ali is in the weaving industry for many years and was having trouble while doing handloom work. His unclear vision was disrupting his activities such as spinning, dyeing, designing, and weaving. He was examined by the optometrist and was handed over with eyeglasses. He expressed his gratitude to the VSF team for the clear vision which made him effective and productive at his workplace.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Narayan
Gender: Male
Age: 55 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Gosaipur, Varanasi, India
Narayan has been weaving saree from his childhood days and was experiencing blurred vision and facing difficulties in sorting threads, while weaving saree. He was examined by VSF team and provided eyeglasses. He is grateful to the VSF team as eyeglasses has improved the quality of his life and productivity at his workplace. He was grateful for a perfect eyesight which would sort out his issues while working with threads and other materials.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
Mission
To provide eye-screening, primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice to the people at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid.
Current Scenario
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, more than 700 million people in the developing world struggle with poor life quality due to bad eyesight. It is estimated that uncorrected vision results in $227 billion in lost productivity to the global economy. In India alone, an estimated 550 million (55 Crore) people require eyeglasses for vision correction. Blurry vision compromises one’s ability to work effectively, to read and learn in school, and to navigate surroundings with ease and safety. For many living in developing countries suffering from vision loss, a pair of eyeglasses could mean the difference between opportunity and loss of income and quality of life.
Activities
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is an NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice with FCRA Registration Number: 231661855. VSF also has the facility of providing eyeglasses to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach activities and free eye-screening outreach program. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. VSF also provides eye-care/eye-health advice centres and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest eye hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in India by aiding in restoring their vision.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) received a grant amount of USD ($) 31,96,741 from 1st January 2020 to 30th June 2022:
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Deda Ram
Gender: Male
Age: 38 Years
Occupation: Tailor
Location: Baripada, Odisha, India
He is a tailor by profession and has been complaining of blurred vision and irritation in his eyes while working. He never got his eyes tested as he believed that visiting an optometrist would be expensive. After getting examined and getting eyeglasses from VSF team, he was able to work for longer hours on the tailoring machine and his stitching time for a unit reduced which brought him more customers and earnings.
D. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their households in the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli districts, Assam, India through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Outreach Program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weaver’s clusters in various locations in the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli districts, Assam, India. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the outreach premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 20,000 artisans, weavers, and their households in the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli districts, Assam, India. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Society for North-East Handmade Paper Development (SNEHPAD).
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 4,504 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli districts, Assam, India, among them 37% (n = 1,682) were males and 63% (n= 2,822) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 77% (n=3,456) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 18% (n = 802) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 73% (n = 588) identified with suspected cataract and 27% (n = 214) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 97% (n = 3,336) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 48% (n = 1,611) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 52% (n = 1,725).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 86% (n = 2,860) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 97%.
Please Note: 4,504 eye-screenings were done during the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 202, and 3,336 eyeglasses have been distributed/dispensed. The project is currently ongoing and should get completed by December 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Nikumoni Shyam
Gender: Female
Age: 39 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Titabor, Jorhat, Assam, India
Nikumoni has been in the weaving industry for more than 22 years. She complained of blurred vision and frequent headaches while performing her daily work. She visited Outreach Program and got her eyes checked. After wearing the eyeglasses, she became proactive and could deliver double than what she has been at her workplace. With the help of eyeglasses, she could work for longer hours with increased productivity.