Testimonials:
Name: Puja Gogoi
Gender: Female
Age: 42 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Bokakhat, Assam
She visited eye-screening outreach program and got herself examined. He was experiencing unclear vision while working with objects at a near vicinity. This was affecting her productivity and ultimately bringing in less finance for her family. After getting eyeglasses, she felt happy as witnessed efficiency in plucking more tea leaves than required and in return received additional income for the day.
Name: Anuj Kakoti
Gender: Male
Age: 49 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Hatikhuli, Assam
He visited the eye-screening outreach program and got himself examined. He had weak vision which was creating hurdle in his growth and development and was not able to take up additional responsibilities at work. After getting eyeglasses he expressed his happiness and content as he could see clearly without taking long breaks from work.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their household members in Patiala, Punjab through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organizes Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program for the artisans, weavers and their household members in the Patiala District of Punjab. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID-19 awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with The Patiala Handicraft Workshop Cooperative Industrial Society Ltd (Society for rural women empowerment).
The objective of the project is to reach out to 10,000 artisans, weavers and their household members in the Patiala District of Punjab, 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 9,810 weavers, artisans, spinners and their household members in the weaver and artisan clusters of Punjab among them 40% (n = 3,941) were males and 60% (n = 5,867) were females.
Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 62% (n = 6,067) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
Referrals made for the screened population: 17% (n = 1,699) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 65% (n = 1,103) identified with suspected cataract and 35% (n = 588) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
Eyeglasses distribution: 78% (n = 4,761) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 47% (n = 2,254), Pre-cuts 0 % (n = 0) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 53% (n = 2507).
First Time Wearers (FTWs): 80% (n = 3,831) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
Post-coverage rate in the population was 78%.
*Please Note: 9,810 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 4,761 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Testimonials:
Name: Omprakash
Gender: Male
Age: 58 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Krishna Mandir, Pandav Nagar, Delhi
He complained of blurry vision and redness in his eyes which were caused due to constant strain in his eyes while working with threads. The challenges caused him hurdles in delivering the required number of units on a day-to-day basis. After getting eyeglasses, he was now able to sow, yarn and sort threads as per requirement at his workplace which eventually increased his productivity.
B. Improving the lives and productivity of the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the Hathikuli Tea Estate located in the Kaziranga District in Assam through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organised Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program for the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the Hathikuli Tea Estate located in the Kaziranga District in 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 camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Amalgamated Plantation Private Limited.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 4,500 tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the Hathikuli Tea Estate located in the Kaziranga District in 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 4,502 tea pickers in the tea estates of Assam among them 49% (n = 2,184) were males and 51% (n = 2,318) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 54% (n = 2,439) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 551) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 69% (n = 379) identified with suspected cataract and 31% (n = 165) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 85% (n = 2,061) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses;
Reading Glasses:59% (n = 1,225), Pre-cuts 0% (n = 0 ) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses:41 % (n = 836).
5.First Time Wearers (FTWs): 83% (n = 1,710) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 85%.
*Please Note: 4,502 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 2,061 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project would get completed in January 2023.
Testimonial:
Name: Yashwant Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 47 Years
Occupation: Daily Labour
Location: Barnala, Punjab
He visited the outreach program and registered himself for eye examination. He was facing watery eyes and irritation which caused longer hours in completing his daily tasks. This also caused barriers in his growth and opportunities in financial growth. After wearing eyeglasses, he witnessed the difference in his vision and was more comfortable in working for longer hours and delivering the required work at his workplace.
G. 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 India, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation’s Clear Vision Workplace program is designed to increase the coverage of Eye-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, affordable eyeglasses.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 16,143 factory workers in the factories of CTA Apparels, VF, Ferro Sona Garments, Indus Industries, JCT Limited, Ludhiana Steel Roll Mills, Sonalika Tractors, Spark Minda, Tata Motors, Wear Well and Fashion Accessories based out of Gurugram, Haryana Pune, Maharashtra Bengaluru, Haryana, India, out of which 85% (n = 13,654) were males and 15% (n = 25,39).
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 52% (n = 8,379) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 5% (n = 843) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 26% (n = 221) identified with suspected cataract and 74% (n = 622) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 90% (n = 7,553) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 47% (n = 3,568), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 51% (n = 3,829) and Pre-Cuts: 2% (n = 156).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 74% (n = 5,548) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 90%.
*Please Note: 16,143 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 7,553 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 2062 community members and their families in various locations in Karnataka, India.
2. Eyeglasses distribution: % (n = 496) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 45% (n = 222), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 58% (n = 274) and Pre-Cuts: % (n = 0).
*Please Note: 2,062 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 496 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project is ongoing and would get completed in 2023.
Testimonials (Fashion Accessories):
Name: Anil Kulkarni
Gender: Male
Age: 57 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Sector 37, Gurugram, Haryana
He visited the outreach program and stated his concern with respect to blurry eyes and uncomfortable feeling while working with threads and the needle. He mentioned he was unable to work continuously on the sewing machine which requires continuous concentration. He registered himself for eye examination and got eyeglasses. Post wearing eyeglasses his vision was better and was able to work comfortably without any challenges. He was being more effective and efficient at work.
H. Improving the lives and productivity of the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the District Baksa in Assam through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF), organized Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program for the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various locations in District Baksa, 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 camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program is in collaboration with, in association with Every Infant Matters
The objective of the project is to reach out to 13,500 tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various locations in Baksa District, Assam, India to 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 12,651 community members and their families in various location in Baksa District, Assam in India, among them 51% (n = 6,399) were males and 49% (n = 6,252) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 56% (n = 7,087) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 22% (n = 2,741) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 83% (n = 2,273) identified with suspected cataract and 16% (n = 440) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 83% (n = 5,910) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 72% (n = 4,228), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 25% (n = 1,499) and Pre-Cuts: 3% (n = 183).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 90% (n = 5,347) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 83%.
*Please Note: 12,651 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 5,910 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Testimonials:
Name: Manjeet Kaur
Gender: Female
Age: 45 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Kotla Bajwara, Rajpura, Punjab
She was experiencing blurred vision and was unable to focus on the same object for a long time. She was not able to focus on the materials required to deliver her work which leads to delay in submission. After getting herself examined with VisionSpring outreach program she was truly delighted and grateful to the entire team who helped her get the magic of clear vision.
Name: Vijaylakshmi
Gender: Female
Age: 54 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Faridkot, Punjab
She has been complaining about vision issues which were disrupting her handloom work. She was facing hurdle in fulfilling her work activities such as spinning, dyeing, designing, and weaving. She visited the outreach program and got herself examined. After getting desired eyeglasses, she was happy to witness clear sight which had given her a positive feeling towards her job.
D. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their household members in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organized 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 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 camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with Jaipur Rugs Foundation.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 35,000 artisans, weavers and their household members 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 15,298 weavers, artisans, spinners and their household members in the weaver and artisan clusters of Bikaner, Jaipur, Alwar, Sikar, and Dausa in Rajasthan, India, among them 43% (n = 6,506) were males and 57% (n = 8,791) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 46% (n = 7,102) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3.Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 1,853) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 71% (n = 1,320) identified with suspected cataract and 27% (n = 492) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 72% (n = 5,093) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 62% (n = 3,138) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 32% (n = 1,649).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 89% (n = 4,546) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6.Post-coverage rate in the population was 72%.
*Please Note: 15,298 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 5,093 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project would get completed in January 2023.
Testimonial
Name: Vandana Srivastav
Gender: Female
Age: 52 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Amarganj, Beniganj, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
She visited the outreach program registered herself for eye-screening. She was experiencing redness and water in the eyes. She mentioned that working with threads and process sewing, yarning, and threading were causing strain. After getting eyeglasses she became effective and efficient towards producing the required number of units every day at his workplace.
E. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their household members in the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli Districts, Assam, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organized 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 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 camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with Society for North-East Handmade Paper Development (SNEHPAD).
The objective of the project was to reach out to 20,000 artisans, weavers, and their household members in the Jorhat, Golaghat, and Majuli Districts, Assam, and 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 1,463 weavers, artisans, spinners and their household members in the weaver and artisan clusters of the Jorhat, Golaghat and Majuli Districts, Assam, India, among them 37% (n = 540) were males and 63% (n = 922) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 75% (n = 1,094) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 18% (n = 257) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 79% (n = 203) identified with suspected cataract and 21% (n = 52) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 84% (n = 1,232) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 43% (n = 528), Pre-Cut: 6% (n = 78) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 51% (n = 626).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 52% (n = 642) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 84%.
*Please Note: 1,463 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 1,232 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Testimonial:
Name: Ritu Hazarika
Gender: Female
Age: 56 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Paschimpatla VCDC Udalguri, Assam
She visited the outreach program and registered herself for eye examination. She complained of redness and watery eyes which had caused long hours of break from work. This affected her productivity. After getting eyeglasses, she was grateful as she could see clearly. She was relieved as she could do her work on time and guide others in picking the right kind of tea leaves and deliver the required number of kilos per day.
I. Improving the lives and productivity of the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in the tea estates located in the Golaghat District in Assam through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF), organized Eye-Screenings and Eyeglasses Outreach Program in the camp setting for the tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various tea estates located in the Golaghat District, Assam, namely, Negheriting, Balijan, Sitalpathar and Dooria.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. This program was in collaboration with Farm2Food Foundation.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 12,000 tea tribes (tea garden workers and their families/dependents) in various tea estates located in the Golaghat District, Assam, namely, Negheriting, Balijan, Sitalpathar, and Dooria, and to 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 9,034 community members and their families in Negheriting tea Estate, Assam, India, among them 46% (n = 4,132) were males and 54% (n = 4,901) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 73% (n = 6,591) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 16% (n = 1,422) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 73% (n = 1,039) identified with suspected cataract and 24% (n = 345) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 96% (n = 6,311) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; 5. Reading Glasses: 59% (n = 3,732), Pre-Cut: 4% (n = 259), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 37% (n = 2,320).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 65% (n = 4,129) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 96%.
*Please Note: 9,035 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 6,311 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Testimonials:
Name: Apeksha Prakash
Gender: Female
Age: 47 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Surat, Gujarat
She was facing challenges while working (saree weaving) due to unclear vision. She was finding it difficult to recognise people, which has been a prolonging issue. This ultimately affected her performance and financial status. She examined herself at outreach program and was provided with eyeglasses. After wearing eyeglasses, she felt comfortable working for longer hours and especially delivering the required number of units by the end of the day.
K. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through the provision of eyeglasses.
Locations: Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Karnataka in India
VSF collaborated with multiple mission-aligned organizations/bodies such as Clear Vision Punjab, Suman Nirmal Minda Foundation, National Planning for Control and Blindness SHS (New Delhi), Integrated Sciences, ITDP Palghar (Maharashtra), SSM Nanded, Rotary International (West Bengal), National Association for the Blind (MP), FICCI(Punjab), i-Catalysts (Delhi), and Dyal Singh College (Karnal, Haryana).
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of children screened: Screened 2,24,619 children in various states of India.
2. Eyeglasses distribution: 28,394 eyeglasses were distributed to the children who had refractive error.
3. First Time Wearers (FTWs): Out of 28,394 eyeglasses distributed to the children, 11,505 were the first-time eyeglasses wearers.
Testimonial:
Name: Payal Yashwant Chaudhary
Gender: Female
Class:7
School: Jeevandhara Kanya Ashram School, Ashagad, Maharashtra
Payal had never got her eyes examined prior to the VisionSpring Foundation outreach program. She had blurry vision and hard time looking at the blackboard as her seat was among the backbenchers. During the outreach program at school, she was provided with eyeglasses and all her problems were eliminated. She felt happy to play with her friends and compete with them.
Programs/Projects Undertaken between 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022:
A. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their household members 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. After making the locations COVID ready by doing COVID awareness creation, training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols in the camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Fair Trade Forum-India.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 55,000 artisans, weavers and their household members in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, India to 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 121 weavers, artisans, spinners and their household members in the weaver and artisan clusters of Delhi-NCR, India, among them 60% (n = 72) were males and 40% (n = 49) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 39% (n = 47) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 16) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 25% (n = 4) identified with suspected cataract and 75% (n = 12) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 72% (n = 87) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 23% (n = 20), Pre-cuts 0 % (n = 0) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 77% (n = 67).
5.First Time Wearers (FTWs): 25% (n = 22) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 72%.
*Please Note: 121 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 87 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 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 $227 billion in lost productivity to the global economy. In India alone, an estimated 600 million (60 Crore) people require eyeglasses for vision correction. Blurry vision compromises one’s ability to work effectively, to read and learn in school, and to navigate surroundings with ease and safety. For many living in developing countries suffering from vision loss, a pair of eyeglasses could mean the difference between opportunity and loss of income and quality of life.
Activities
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is an NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice with FCRA Registration Number: 231661855. VSF also has the facility of providing eyeglasses to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach activities and free eye-screening camps. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. VSF also provides eye-care/eye-health advice centres and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest eye hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in India by aiding in restoring their vision.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) received a grant amount of USD ($) 4,018,467 from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2022:
Testimonials: Clear Vision Workplaces
Name: Premjit Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 57 Years
Occupation: Weaver
He was finding it difficult to work with threads and sort threads. This was becoming challenging and creating issues in delivering his day-to-day targets. He registered himself for eye examination and got a new pair of eyeglasses. Post wearing eyeglasses, he was happy to witness change in his eyesight. He was now able to sort threads and weave products comfortably. This gave him a boost to grow and develop his skills further.
Testimonials:
Name: Miju Barua
Gender: Female
Age: 42 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Jorhat, Assam
She faced was facing challenges in weaving and sorting threads. This has also caused hurdles in her growth and development which has limited her in taking additional responsibilities. After getting eyeglasses, she was grateful to the entire team as she was able to thread a needle in lesser time and produce the final product with more fineness. She did not face any problem in working for longer hours and was being more productive.
Name: Naradmoni Guha
Gender: Male
Age: 49 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Jorhat, Assam
He was facing issues in work and took longer hours in finishing a product which would affect the total outcome, due to his unclear vision. With the help of outreach program and eyeglasses provided by team, he was proactive at work and deliver double than what he has been at his workplace. This pair of eyeglasses helped him to work for longer hours and increase his productivity.
F. Improving the lives and productivity of the community members and their household members in Punjab through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
During the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022, 5,824 community members and their families, in various locations in Sangrur District, Punjab, India 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*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 5,824 community members and their families in various location in Sangrur District, Punjab, India, among them 47% (n = 2,741) were males and 53% (n = 3,058) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 60% (n = 3,481) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 672) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 83% (n = 556) identified with suspected cataract and 17% (n = 116) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 65% (n = 2,253) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 46% (n = 1,038), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 49% (n = 1,108) and Pre-Cuts:5 % (n = 107).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 68% (n = 1,539) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 65%.
*Please Note: 5,824 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 2,253 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.
Testimonials:
Name: Montu Viras
Gender: Male
Age: 42 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Sarupathar, Golaghat, Assam
He visited the outreach program camp where he registered himself and got his eye checked. He complained of blurry eyes and irritation that was caused due to weak vision which has later created hurdle in day-to-day activities. After wearing eyeglasses, he witnessed the difference in his eyesight which gave him a boost in performing better at his workplace. He was able to deliver the required number of kilos of tea leaves as per requirement.
Name: Utpal Hazarika
Gender: Male
Age: 47 Years
Occupation: Tea Picker
Location: Sungajan, Golaghat, Assam
He visited the outreach program where he registered himself and got his eye checked. He has unable to visit doctor due to work schedule and was grateful to the VisionSpring Foundation team. He was taking longer hours in getting the kilos of tea leaves and was not receiving the said amount at the end of the day. After receiving the eyeglasses, he could see the difference in his vision which made his work easier and gave him a platform to perform better and grow.
J. Improving the lives and productivity of 8,800 artisans/weavers and their household members in Surat, Navsari, Ankleshwar, and Kim, Gujarat, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses.
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) organized 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 Surat, Navsari, Ankleshwar and Kim, 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 camp premises, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Sanjay Mane Foundation.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 8,800 artisans and weavers and their household members in Surat, Navsari, Ankleshwar, and Kim, Gujarat, India, to 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.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 2,875 community members and their families in various locations in Surat District, Gujarat, India, among them 75% (n = 2,149) were males and 25% (n = 726) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 57% (n = 1,637) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 6% (n = 159) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 53% (n = 85) identified with suspected cataract and 44% (n = 70) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centers.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 90% (n = 1,472) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 56% (n = 818), Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 38% (n = 555) and Pre-Cuts: 7% (n = 99).
5. First Time (FTWs): 53% (n = 781) of the people who received their eyeglasses Wearers got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 90%.
*Please Note: 2,875 eye-screenings were done during the period of 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022 and 1,472 eyeglasses were distributed/dispensed. The project got completed in December 2022.