Around 2.7 billion people – one-third of the global population – suffer from uncorrected poor vision, making it one of the largest unaddressed disabilities.

Despite the simplicity and affordability of a solution such as eyeglasses, millions still lack access due to systemic barriers in health care, affordability and awareness – challenges we are committed to addressing.

Solving the Vision Care Crisis is Crucial

The transformative impact of providing vision care is clear: it not only does it improve sight, but it also boosts academic performance, increases workplace productivity, enhances safety and improves overall quality of life. Good vision fosters inclusivity and empowers greater participation in society.

Billions of people – especially women, children, the elderly and refugees – continue to be held back by untreated vision problems.

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To truly solve the global vision crisis and ensure the next generation doesn’t face the same barriers as the last, we must work together – governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and individuals.

Discussions that bring together world leaders can create a ripple effect in society, resulting in inclusive and healthier communities, stronger economies and a world where every child can see a future full of possibilities.

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Our Foundation’s work to Bring Life-Changing Vision Care to Brasil & Beyond

Advocating for good vision and driving awareness of this critical issue is a key pillar of our mission at the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation – it is especially important to share how proper vision unlocks economic growth, improves safety and strengthens education with influential leaders to enact meaningful change around the world.

Towards the end of 2024, the G20 Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, bringing together world leaders and influential figures to address pressing global economic and financial challenges, promote social inclusion, encourage sustainable development and foster discussions on a wide range of critical issues. The Foundation was invited to contribute to the G20 magazine to share the impact of good vision, the importance of empowering the world with 'The Right To See’ and the steps we are taking to end uncorrected refractive errors globally.

The choice of Rio as the host city was particularly significant in the context of vision care. The local population faces many of the challenges discussed at the conference, many of which are exacerbated or caused by poor vision, and these issues are also being experienced on a global scale.

Brasil has several populations in dire need of vision assistance, including indigenous communities located in isolated regions, people living in rural and remote areas, refugees fleeing their country in search safety and a better future, students struggling to learn due to poor vision and families who lack access to eye exams and a pair of glasses. Good vision is imperative for these groups’ success and for improving their overall wellbeing.

Our Latin America regional head, Daniele Cangemi, shares what steps we are making in Latin America to deliver critical eye care to the people in this region:

Vision care in Brazil and Latin America faces several challenges:
Access to Services: A significant portion of the population, particularly in rural and underserved areas, lack access to basic eye care services. Additionally, the high costs of specialized services and eyeglasses make vision care inaccessible for many low-income individuals in need.
Prevalence of Preventable Vision Impairments: Uncorrected refractive errors are the leading causes of vision impairment. Many of these conditions are treatable, but delayed diagnosis is common.
Workforce Shortages: There's an unbalanced distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists, with most professionals concentrated in urban centers. Many countries in Latin America face shortages of trained personnel, limiting the reach of eye care services.
Public Health Priorities: Vision care is often underprioritized in public health policies, leading to inadequate funding and infrastructure.
Awareness and Education: Limited awareness about eye health leads to delayed care-seeking behavior. Many people don't undergo regular eye exams due to cultural or educational gaps.
We are proud to share that our programs have reached over 50 million people with life-changing eye exams and glasses around the world. With our new affiliated office in the Latin America region, based in Colombia, we are consolidating actions and forging high-impact alliances – thus reaching those who need it most. Latin America has about 190 million people who still suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, and we are determined to provide them with ‘The Right To See’.
For years now, we have supported many community organizations and projects with eye exams and eyeglass donations. Now, with a presence in the region, we can ensure philanthropic support and sustainable access, so that millions of visually impaired people can "see more and be more" in their own communities.

– Daniele Cangemi, OneSight EssilorLuxottica’s Head of Latin America

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Bringing Life-Changing Vision Care to Latin America

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