Testimonial:
Name: Sonu
Gender: Male
Age: 8 Years
Occupation: Student
Location: Chhaphdiwadi, Panchmahal District, Gujarat
Sonu was diagnosed with refractive error and got eyeglasses. Sonu’s parents shared that Sonu was very happy to receive his eyeglasses and he is not having any headaches now. Sonu said that he will regularly wear his eyeglasses and this will help him in his studies.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans in Barmer, Rajasthan, through COVID-19 safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) identified weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Barmer, Rajasthan. VSF associated with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and the Gramin Vikas Evam Chetan Sansthan (GVCS) for this program. After making the locations COVID-19 ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID-19 safe protocols. 8,627 people were screened for vision and eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. The objective is to make Barmer a Clear Vision Cluster and make it a Model Cluster for other such weaver and artisan clusters around the country to emulate.
Eye-Screening Statistics:
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 8,627 people, among them 50% (n = 4,274) were males and 50 % (n = 4,353) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 62% (n = 5,339) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3.Referrals made for the screened population: 11% (n = 963) identified with suspected cataract and with other complex eye diseases.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 96% (n = 5,100) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 52% (n = 2,634) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 48% (n = 2,466).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 92% (n = 4,682) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening activity.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 96%.
Programs/Projects Undertaken between 1st October 2020 to 31st December 2020:
A. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans in East and South East Delhi through COVID-19 response and readiness, COVID-19 safe eye-screenings, and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is working actively for the COVID-19 response and readiness with the Government of India and other stakeholders to protect the people of our nation from the pandemic. VSF associated with the Gautam Gambhir Foundation for this program. VSF identified weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities and organized COVID-19 response activities in East and South East Delhi. After making the locations COVID-19 ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID-19 safe protocols. Eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. Mostly the areas of Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri, Khichdipur, and Okhla in Delhi were covered.
Results:
* COVID-19 Response and Readiness
1. Training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols.
2. Distribution of hygiene kits (consisting of soap, detergent, masks, and information/awareness materials) to 9,000 members of the weaver and artisan communities and their households. A total of 43,823 people were touched by the initiative.
3. Installation of 12 handwashing stations at different locations.
* Eye-Screenings
1. Goals of the project is to conduct eye-screenings of the people from the weaver and artisan communities with COVID-19 safe protocols followed by the distribution of eyeglasses to those who required them
2. Those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment.
Eye-Screening Statistics*:
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 5,320 people, among them 53% (n = 2,794) were males and 47 % (n = 2,526) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 67 % (n = 3,542) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population:13% (n = 706) identified with suspected cataract and with other complex eye diseases.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 56% (n = 2,967) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 49 % (n = 1456) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 51 % (n = 1,511).
5.First Time Wearers (FTWs): 65% (n = 1,916) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening activity.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 84%.
Pictures:
Testimonial:
Name: Lokendra Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 38 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Prithivraj Modern School, Ghiroli, New Delhi
Lokendra had been a weaver for the last 15 years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic he went out of work and started selling vegetables for a living. He got his eyes screened and got eyeglasses. The eyeglasses improved the quality of his life and he is hopeful that he will now be able to restart his weaving and will be a lot more productive and efficient as he his now able to see clearly through his eyeglasses.
B. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children across India through the provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) associated with multiple mission-aligned organizations/bodies such as the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) (Ansari Nagar, New Delhi), the Manavta Foundation (Vadodara, Gujarat), the Community Eye Care Foundation (Pune, Maharashtra), and others across India. A total of 1,999 children identified by VSF were provided eyeglasses through this initiative. This enabled these children to see clearly and would lead to enhancement of their educational outcomes as 80% of all learning is through vision. This initiative would help them actively participate in schools.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st October 2020 to 31st December 2020
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 $227 billion in lost productivity to the global economy. In India alone, an estimated 550 million (55 Crore) people require eyeglasses for vision correction. Blurry vision compromises one’s ability to work effectively, to read and learn in school, and to navigate surroundings with ease and safety. For many living in developing countries suffering from vision loss, a pair of eyeglasses could mean the difference between opportunity and loss of income and quality of life.
Activities:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is an NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice with FCRA Registration Number: 231661855. VSF also has the facility of providing eyeglasses to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach activities and free eye-screening camps. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. VSF also provides eye-care/eye-health advice centres and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest eye hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in India by aiding in restoring their vision.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) received a grant amount of USD ($) 1,221,521 from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020:
Testimonial:
Name: Hari Meher
Gender: Male
Age: 45 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Bargaon Weaver Cluster, Bargarh
Hari Meher visited the vision screenings and the eyeglasses outreach program as he was having difficulty in seeing clearly while doing his intricate weaving work. He shared that he was very impressed with the way the VSF team introduced him to handwashing protocols and educated him on how to wash his hands for 20 seconds as per the WHO guidelines. The team made him aware of the benefits of handwashing to protect himself from COVID-19. He was screened for vision and was prescribed a pair of reading glasses for his near vision problem. He received the same after proper counselling. He instantly was able to see clearly and was thankful that now he would be able to be more productive and will be able to perform his intricate weaving work efficiently and comfortably.
Testimonial:
Name: Omi Bora
Gender: Female
Age: 35 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Borjan Tea Estate, Golaghat District, Assam
Omi Bora visited the vision screenings and the eyeglasses outreach program as she was having difficulty in seeing clearly while picking/plucking tea leaves. She was also having problems in reading the newspaper. Omi was provided reading glasses for her near vision problem after proper counselling. She shared that she was given an opportunity to select her eyeglasses from a variety of shapes and designs. She was very happy to get her reading glasses as she was able to see clearly and be more productive at her work.
E. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans in Sambalpur and Bargarh, Odisha, through COVID-19 safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) identified weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Sambalpur and Bargarh, Odisha. VSF associated with the Vision India Foundation and the Sambalpuri Bastralaya for this program. After making the locations COVID-19 ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID-19 safe protocols. 611 people were screened for vision and eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment.
Eye-Screening Statistics:
1. Distribution of population screened: Screened a total of 611 weavers and their household members, among them 64% (n=391) were males and 36% (n = 220) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 74% (n = 453) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3.Referrals made for the screened population: 20% (n = 121) identified with suspected cataract and with other visual disorders.
4.Eyeglasses distribution: 96% (n = 435) of all population identified with a refractive error received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 65% (n = 283) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 35% (n=152).
5.First Time Wearers (FTWs): 78% (n = 339) of all population who received their eyeglasses, got their first pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening activity.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 96%.
Pictures:
Testimonial:
Name: Reedpuri
Gender: Male
Age: 70 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Khampura Village Weaver Cluster, Barmer
Reedpuri visited the vision screenings and the eyeglasses outreach program as he was having difficulty in seeing clearly while doing his intricate weaving work. He was also having problems in reading the newspaper. He shared that he was very impressed with the way the VSF team introduced him to handwashing protocols and educated him on how to wash his hands for 20 seconds as per the WHO guidelines. The team made him aware of the benefits of handwashing to protect himself from COVID-19. He was screened for vision and was prescribed a pair of reading glasses for his near vision problem. He received the same after proper counselling. He instantly was able to see clearly and said that this simple intervention has changed his life. D. Improving the lives and productivity of tea garden workers and tea tribes in Assam through COVID-19 safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VSF identified tea garden workers, their families, and associated tea tribes in Assam. After making the locations COVID-19 ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings of 4,420 people with the COVID-19 safe protocols in place. Eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. Mostly the Borjan, Nahorani, and Lamabari Tea Estates in Assam were covered. VSF associated with APPL (Amalgamated Tea Plantation PVT) for this program.
Eye-Screening Statistics:
1.Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 4,420 people, among them 53% (n = 2,344) were males and 47% (n = 2,075) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 59 % (n = 2,592) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 11% (n = 498) identified with suspected cataract and with other complex eye diseases.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 86% (n = 2,221) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 52% (n = 1,148) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 47% (n = 1,042).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 90% (n = 2,002) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening activity.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 96%.
Pictures: