Cumulative Impact
2001-2024
Corrective Pairs Distributed
14M
Countries Reached
29
Increase in Productivity
22-32%
Economic Impact Generated
$3B
2024 Results
Eyeglasses Distributed
2.1M
Income Earning Potential
$460M
First Time Wearers
76%
School Children in Glasses
95K
People Screened
2.7M
Garment Workers Screened
175K
Drivers Screened
216K
Partners
537
Evidence of Impact
VisionSpring conducts assessments and studies to build the evidence base that underpins our theory of change. Our goal is for low income people to utilize eyeglasses as a means to improve their daily functioning, productivity and income earning potential,
RCT Income - THRIVE
The THRIVE study demonstrates that reading glasses can boost median monthly incomes in low-income communities by 33.4% within just eight months.
RCT Productivity - PROSPER
The study affirms that eyeglasses have the potential to dramatically boost worker productivity worldwide. In India, providing tea pickers with corrective lenses represented the largest ever recorded productivity increase from any health intervention.
The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: Vision Beyond 2020
Eye health affects nearly everyone at some point in our lives. Worldwide, there are currently 1.1 billion people living with vision impairment, and hundreds of millions more...
22% Productivity Increase: Tea Workers
An RCT conducted amongst tea pickers found that providing reading glasses increased productivity by 22% on average and up to 32% among workers over the age of 50. 2017, Assam, India, Published in the Lancet Global Health
25% Fail Visual Acuity Test: Truck Drivers
A program assessment conducted amongst truckers found that 25% could not meet the standard visual acuity requirements of being able to read signs at 20-30 meters, as required for a driving license. 2019, Transit Hubs, India
Theory of Change
Our theory of change states “Eyeglasses improve daily functioning, productivity, and earning potential, creating a greater likelihood of a pathway out of poverty.”
Based on the above statement, VisionSpring's programs are designed to advance social impact along three themes: See to Earn for adults to enhance earning potential, See to Learn for school going children so that they learn better, and See to be Safe for truck drivers and allied transport workers so that all road users are safe.
