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                                                            Extent of the problem
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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 spectacles 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.

​                                                              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).

                                               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 to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach activities and free eye screening camps across India. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. These vans are equipped with state-of-art facilities to detect refractive error. VSF also has eye-care/eye-health advice centres and expertise and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in rural and urban India by aiding in restoring their vision.

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