Research

This report is a collective of findings on the urgent need for national governments, the private sector and development partners to substantially increase investment in providing eyeglasses to improve educational outcomes, increase productivity and stimulate the global economy.

Eyeglasses could correct the vision of 2.5 billion individuals living with poor vision. Of these, 624 million need corrective lenses so strong that they are classified as visually impaired or blind without eyeglasses.

In 2015, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and inclusive businesses collectively distributed less than 8 million pairs of eyeglasses in less developed countries.

Political will, investment and the engagement of private sector actions can overcome barriers to solving the problem at scale. In 2015, only $37 million, or two cents per person affected, was spent to solve this problem.