Newscenter
BRAC, the largest non-profit in the developing world and VisionSpring’s partner in Bangladesh, recently conducted a study on the impact of eyeglasses on their customers: the 8.9 million people suffering from blurry up-close vision (presbyopia) across the nation.
The report, which can be read here, shows that individual income increased for 75% of those who received eyeglasses, that customers worked an additional two hours per day, and that absence in work due to vision related problems decreased an average of 50%.
Other key findings of the report include that the partnership has succeeded in raising the awareness about near vision loss (presbyopia) and that there was widespread satisfaction with the eye-care services provided by BRAC’s health volunteers. Challenges with the program are also outlined.
The executive summary of BRAC’s impact study describes the scope of the report:
“Presbyopia is considered as an emerging public health problem in Bangladesh as one-fifth of Bangladeshi people suffer from presbyopia. BRAC, an indigenous Bangladeshi NGO working to improve the health and livelihood of the poor people, initiated a pilot project for improving the vision of presbyopic patients by offering a pair of reading glass at a minimum cost after testing for faulty near vision by the community health workers (SS). The pilot programme has been in operation for the last two years (2006-’07).
“This study aimed to explore the current state of awareness and knowledge among the community people about presbyopia and its treatment, barriers to detection of presbyopia and its correction by using Reading Glasses, satisfaction with services provided under the pilot project as well as perceived improvement of daily and income-earning activities etc."
Read the entire article here (pdf)
