Adaptive Eyewear
“A conservative estimate of the annual direct economic productivity loss due to blindness and low vision in Sub Saharan Africa was US$ 1,830 million in 2000. Without concerted international action, it is expected to rise to US$ 4,374 million per year by 2020 – the equivalent of 0.50% of GDP for the region.” (World Health Organisation; 2002)
Background:
WHO statistics also state that over 1 billion people in the world suffer from undiagnosed or uncorrected vision defects with as many as 10% of children at primary school having uncorrected vision.
Clear Vision – while often taken for granted in developed communities – is a vital component and influencing factor on social, economic, and humanitarian development and upliftment.
What are Adaptive Eye-glasses:
• Adaptive eye-glasses let users figure out their own lens power with assistance from a local facilitator,
• No eye care professional is required to fit adaptive eye glasses – only a facilitator,
• They work for near sight, far sight and for reading,
• The process is simple and intuitive;
o Users adjust the power of the fluid filled lenses until they can see clearly.
o They then seal the lenses by tightening two screws before cutting the fluid applicator away from the glasses,
o The result an instant good pair of glasses, anywhere, anytime.
“70% of the Ghanaians, who had self prescribed their glasses, were able to prescribe a pair of glasses which were very nearly the same power as an optometrist would have prescribed.”
- Dr. Graeme McKenzie, Researcher, Vision for the Developing World, Oxford
Testimonials of Ghanaians that have received Adaptive Eyewear eye glasses.
“Eye glasses is critical to the success of the adult literacy program.”
- Samuel Salifu Mogre, Executive Director, Non-Formal Education Division, Ghana
Get Involved:
Adaptive Eyeglasses have the power to make a difference in almost any human endeavour. For over one billion people the problem is urgent. Access to Adaptive Eye-glasses means a chance to read, to write, to see a beloved grandchild and to generate critical economic development.
For one billion people the need for Adaptive Eyewear is now.
Join VPC through your donations or support in their quest to explore the implementation of Adaptive Eyewear technology among remote communities in Africa.
Whether developed as a single objective project, or designed to be implemented co-timeously with other community empowerment initiatives, the project is both ground breaking and critical to enhance the impact of philanthropic initiatives throughout the developing world.
Adaptive Eyewear Research Article: Read More (220kb PDF)
