Mission:
To provide eye-screening, primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice to the people at the bottom of the (socio-economic) pyramid (BoP).
Extent of the Problem:
Visual impairment is a significant health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally about 314 million people are visually impaired, of whom 45 million are blind. It has been estimated that over 80% of global visual impairment is preventable or treatable. In spite of this, millions of people remain at risk of visual loss due to the lack of eye-care services. With almost 90% of blind and visually impaired people living in low-and middle-income countries, access to eye-care is often unavailable. VSF conducted a vigorous impact assessment in an effort to quantify the dramatic impact on the lives of the BoP population. The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan led a team in India to conduct research of 450 individuals in need of reading glasses. The studies established that a pair of eyeglasses increased a person’s productivity by 35%. It was also found that reading glasses have the potential to increase monthly income by 20%. For those who work in the textile industry, local tailors, rug makers, weavers, artisans, and anyone who needs to see up close for their profession, the loss of near vision during prime working years can affect their ability to earn a living and support a family. Poor distance vision can also lead to loss of learning ability and can be a safety hazard.
Activities:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is a NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice. These services are provided absolutely free of cost. VSF also has the facility of providing eye glasses at subsidized costs 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.
FCRA Prior Permission:
VSF received a FCRA Prior Permission for USD 1,00,000 in November 2015 for a project for conducting comprehensive eye-screening and dispensing eyeglasses to the urban poor in Delhi. VSF received its first wave of grant of USD 9,990 in February 2016.
Each eye-screening team conducted the following activities:
*Awareness creation and mobilization: The teams created awareness and mobilized the members of the community for the vision camps. This activity consisted of comprising people about maintaining good eye-health, sharing information on symptoms of common eye diseases, and making them aware of the need for regular eye-screening and wearing eyeglasses. The locations and dates of the free eye-screening camps were also shared through leaflets, posters, and announcements.
*Eye-Screening/Diagnosis: VSF is using qualified optometrists to conduct eye-screenings. The Optometrists use world-class equipment to conduct eye-screenings and give exact power prescriptions to people undergoing the screening. People with Cataracts and other complex eye diseases are referred to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
* Treatment and eyeglasses: After the eye-screening, the people needing eyeglasses meet the counsellor with their power prescriptions. The counsellor advised these people on eye health and helps them select an appropriate pair of eyeglasses. Most people identified with presbyopia and refractive error (i.e., the need for eyeglasses) got their pair of eyeglasses on-the-spot. For those needing prescription (Rx) eyeglasses, the eyeglasses were edged and customized through an auto-edging machine and delivered to them within a week.
Impact created through the Project:
*Number of people screened for vision in urban slums and low income areas: 25,186
* Number of people having presbyopia and refractive error (i.e., a need for a pair of eyeglasses): 17,197 (67%)
Figure 1.
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Mission:
To provide eye-screening, primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice to the people at the bottom of the (socio-economic) pyramid (BoP).
Extent of the Problem:
Visual impairment is a significant health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally about 314 million people are visually impaired, of whom 45 million are blind. It has been estimated that over 80% of global visual impairment is preventable or treatable. In spite of this, millions of people remain at risk of visual loss due to the lack of eye-care services. With almost 90% of blind and visually impaired people living in low-and middle-income countries, access to eye-care is often unavailable. VSF conducted a vigorous impact assessment in an effort to quantify the dramatic impact on the lives of the BoP population. The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan led a team in India to conduct research of 450 individuals in need of reading glasses. The studies established that a pair of eyeglasses increased a person’s productivity by 35%. It was also found that reading glasses have the potential to increase monthly income by 20%. For those who work in the textile industry, local tailors, rug makers, weavers, artisans, and anyone who needs to see up close for their profession, the loss of near vision during prime working years can affect their ability to earn a living and support a family. Poor distance vision can also lead to loss of learning ability and can be a safety hazard.
Activities:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is a NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice. These services are provided absolutely free of cost. VSF also has the facility of providing eye glasses at subsidized costs 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.
FCRA Prior Permission:
VSF received a FCRA Prior Permission for USD 1,00,000 in November 2015 for a project for conducting comprehensive eye-screening and dispensing eyeglasses to the urban poor in Delhi. VSF received its first wave of grant of USD 9,990 in February 2016.
Activity Report - FCRA (Prior Permission) Project
VSF has created the following impact through this project till date (up to 28th February 2018):
Project Information:
VSF is conducting eye-screening camps and dispensing eyeglasses through 3 mobile teams across urban slums and low-income areas of Delhi.
Some common characteristics of the areas covered are:
*Low household incomes.
*Low literacy levels.
*Poor access to basic infrastructure.
*Lack of awareness regarding the need for eyeglasses.
*Lack of health facilities for eye-screening and provision of eyeglasses.
Project in Pictures