Testimonial:
Name: Keshan Chand
Gender: Male
Age: 56 Years
Occupation: Driver
Location: Ludhiana, Punjab
Keshav Chand is driving for 25 years and with aging he was finding it difficult to read numbers of the other vehicles on the road or signages at distance, but he never realised it is a problem and can be corrected. During his halt at Ludhiana Bus Stand, he visited VisionSpring Foundation vision screening outreach program, where his vison was thoroughly screened through different tests and autorefractor by trained optometrist. He was diagnosed with refraction error and was given eyeglasses on the spot of his choice. He was delighted with his first pair of glasses and said that he will motivate other drivers also for regular eye check-up and use of eyeglasses.
Eye screening outreach program in Isha Vidya School, Tamil Nadu, India
Locations: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi NCR in India.
VSF collaborated with multiple mission-aligned organisations/bodies such as Basic Shiksha Adhikari in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Isha Vidhya in Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, and Karur (Tamil Nadu), Khadki Education Society in Pune (Maharashtra), Lalit Mahajan SVM Sr. Secondary School in Delhi (Delhi NCR), Joti Foundation in Patiala and Shri Muktsar Sahib (Punjab). Please refer to Table 1 for detailed information.
VSF conducted eye-screenings of 32,892 children and provided 3,613 eyeglasses from July 2024 to September 2024. These eyeglasses helped children see clearly and improved learning outcomes as 70% 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 July 2024 to 31st September 2024
1. Distribution of children screened: Screened 32,892 children in various states of India.
2. Eyeglasses distribution: 3,613 eyeglasses were distributed to the children who had refractive error.
3. First Time Wearers (FTWs): Out of 3,613 eyeglasses distributed to the children, 1,752 were the first-time eyeglasses wearers.
Testimonial:
Name: Sindhya
Gender: Female
Age: 16 years
Occupation: Student
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Sindhya from Isha Vidhya Foundation School shared that she was happy that VisionSpring organised an eye-screening outreach program in their school. At the outreach program she had the opportunity to get her eyes tested and was also prescribed glasses to wear. She shared that earlier she had difficulty in reading her textbooks and notes were blurry because of vision problems. But after the checkup when she got her glasses, she was able to see even a small letter clearly and the board from a distance.
Testimonial:
Name: C. M. Gokulavani
Gender: Female
Age: 15 years
Occupation: Student
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
C M Gokulavani is a student of Class 11 of Isha Vidhya Matriculation Senior Secondary School. She shared her experience of the eye-screening outreach program where she got her eyes checked and got to know that she had a little problem in her eyes. She is thankful to VisionSpring for providing her with free eyeglasses. After wearing the eyeglasses, she noticed the change in her vision, as she could see things much more clearly than before. She found this to be very useful.
E. Ensuring road safety and wellbeing of Commercial and Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers in the state of Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh, India through Vision-Screenings and provision of eyeglasses, in association with State, Regional and District Government.
Background and Scope:
During the period of 1st July 2024 till 30th September 2024, a total of 2,353 commercial drivers and allied transport workers were screened at the transport hubs, Bus deports and Regional Transport Office highway passing area of Jalandhar and Ludhiana, Punjab and Chandigarh and 950 eyeglasses were provided to those who required them. Those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. This program was conducted in collaboration with the organisation called, All India Motor Transport Congress, New Delhi and with permissions from Director Health and Family Welfare, Punjab; State Transport Commissioner, Punjab; Chandigarh Transport Undertaking & Director Transport, Union Territory, Chandigarh; Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Regional Transport Offices as Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 2,353 commercial drivers and allied transport workers were screened at the transport hubs, Bus deports and Regional Transport Office highway passing area of Chandigarh (UT), Jalandhar and Ludhiana states of India, among them 97% (n = 2,291) were males and 3% (n = 62) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 70% (n = 1654) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 3% (n = 72) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 2% (n = 44) identified with suspected cataract and 1% (n = 28) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 40% (n = 950) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 26% (n = 606), Pre-cuts: 3% (n = 72) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 11% (n = 272).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 42% (n = 997) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program
Testimonial:
Name: Shyam Sunder
Gender: Male
Age: 45 Years
Occupation: Factory Worker
Location: Joharpur, Uttar Pradesh
Shyam Sunder's life has taken a remarkable turn for the better thanks to the eye-screening program. After 15 years of struggling with blurry vision and debilitating headaches at his factory job, he received eyeglasses that transformed his life. With crystal-clear vision, Shyam now beams with joy, enthusiastically sharing, "I see every detail perfectly. Reading mobile texts is effortless, and I'm more productive, efficient, and confident”. Overflowing with happiness, Shyam aims to inspire fellow workers to seize this life-changing opportunity.
Testimonial:
Name: Rekha Singh
Gender: Female
Age: 33 Years
Occupation: Handlooms Weaver
Location: Palhaiya, Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh
Rekha Singh from Palhaiya suffered from blurry vision and frequent headaches after prolonged work. After registering for outreach program and receiving a comprehensive checkup, Rekha was given eyeglasses. Overjoyed, she now enjoys clear vision, effortless mobile texting, and enhanced productivity. Inspired, Rekha vows to spread the word about this life-changing experience.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of Factory worker in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu through eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Between 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024,14,018 factory workers were screened for vision in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu and 8,805 eyeglasses were provided to those who required them. Those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. This program was in collaboration with the following organisations in India:
• GoodWeave (Uttar Pradesh)
• Matrix Design and Industries (Uttar Pradesh)
• Q One (Uttar Pradesh)
• WSI (Uttar Pradesh)
• Primark (Tamil Nadu)
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 14,018 factory workers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu, India, among them 80% (n = 11,231 were males and 20% (n = 2,787) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 65% (n = 9,104) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 3% (n = 483) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 39% (n = 190) identified with suspected cataract and 61% (n = 288) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 97% (n = 8,805) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 45% (n = 3,921) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 43% (n = 3,796) and Pre-Cuts: 12% (n = 1,088).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 90% (n =7,905) 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%.
Testimonial:
Name: Bipul Nath
Gender: Male
Age: 52 Years
Occupation: Tea picker
Location: Jamugurighat, Assam
Bipul Nath, a 20-year tea garden worker from Assam's Jamugurighat, struggled with blurry vision until attending eye-screening program. After registration and a thorough checkup, he received customised eyeglasses, restoring his clarity. Overjoyed, Bipul thanked the team and anticipates increased work productivity, saying, "I can now see clearly. I'll earn more". Inspired, he vowed to encourage others to visit the outreach program, ensuring his community benefits from this life-changing initiative.
B. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers, and their households in Nagaland, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha through eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Between 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024, 11,333 weavers, artisans, spinners, and their household were screened for vision in the weaver and artisan clusters of Nagaland, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha and distributed 7,310 eyeglasses to those who required them. Those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. This program was in collaboration with the following organisations in India:
• Chakhesang Public Organisation (Nagaland)
• GoodWeave (Uttar Pradesh)
• Hasthakala Self Help Group (Karnataka)
• Sigma Scott (Odisha)
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024
1.Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 7,297 weavers, artisans, spinners, and their household in the weaver and artisan clusters Nagaland, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha in India, among them 40% (n = 4,540) were males and 60% (n = 6,793) were females.
2.Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 74% (n = 8,380) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 1,335) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 73% (n = 981) identified with suspected cataract and 27% (n = 354) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 87% (n = 7,310) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 44% (n = 3,208) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 41% (n = 35001) and Pre-Cuts: 15% (n = 1,101).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 100% (n =7,297) 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%.
Programs/Program Undertaken between 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024:
Improving the lives and productivity of Tea and Coffee tribes (tea and coffee garden workers and their families/dependents) through eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses, in association with the Tea Estates in Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Background and Scope:
During the period of 1st July 2024 till 30th September 2024, a total of 51,643 tea and coffee tribes and their household members were screened in the tea estates of Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, India and 29,851 eyeglasses were provided to those who required them. Those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. This program was conducted in collaboration with the following organisations:
1. Tea garden workers and their families/dependents in following locations of Assam India:
* Rural and Tribal Development (RTD), Udalgiri and Kamrup
* All Assam Small Tea Growers (AASTGA), Goalpara and Nagaon
* Mehel Solutions, Kamrup
* North East Research and Social Network (NERSWN), Chirang, Kokrajhar, and Sonitpur
* Nivedita Nari Sanstha, Silchar
* SeSTA, Biswanat and Sonitpur*
2.Tea garden workers and their families/dependents in following locations of West Bengal, India:
* Seva Kendra, Darjeeling*
* National Health Mission (NHM), Darjeeling
3. Tea garden workers and their families/dependents in following locations of Tamil Nadu, India:
The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI), Theni
4. Tea garden workers and their families/dependents in following locations of Kerala, India:
The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI), Idukki
5. Tea and coffee garden workers and their families/dependents in following locations of Karnataka, India:
The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI), Chikkamagaluru and Hassan
*Note: SeSTA and Seva Kendra project will continue in the next quarter as well.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 51,643 tea and coffee pickers and their households in the tea estates of Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, India, among them 44% (n = 22,486) were males and 56% (n = 29,157) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 70% (n = 35,915) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 17% (n = 88,28) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 79% (n = 6,984) identified with suspected cataract and 21% (n = 1,844) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 83% (n = 29,851) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 57% (n = 17,831), Pre-cuts: 9% (n = 2,921) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 34% (n = 10,610).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 97% (n = 30,415) 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%.
D. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through the provision of eyeglasses.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st July 2024 to 30th September 2024
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 eyecare 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) has received FCRA grant amount from 1st January 2020 to 30th September 2024 as per the table below: