Vision & Goals

Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of preventable blindness.

Individuals living with visual impairments are often less likely to be able to work and are therefore more likely to live below the poverty line. It is estimated that the total productivity loss from vision impairment adds up to over $400 billion annually (Lancet, 2021).

Access to eyecare services thus helps reduce poverty and increases economic and employment opportunities.

For many, being able to see can be the difference between surviving and starving.

Preventable blindness can affect one’s ability to earn a living and thus afford food.

Access to eyecare can increase household income, which reduces hunger. According to global data, 46% of households moved up an income bracket following cataract surgery.

By providing low-income people with free eyecare services like cataract surgery, we can increase income and thus access to food.

Being able to see clearly is essential to an individual’s health and well-being.

Visual impairments can have far-reaching consequences, including loss of independence and employment opportunities.

Not only do these stress factors inevitably lead to negative consequences for an individual’s well-being, but preventable blindness can also lead to an increased risk of mental health challenges, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality.

By improving access to high-quality eyecare services we can make patients, families, and communities healthier and stronger.

Visual impairments can have negative consequences on a child’s education. Students rely heavily on their vision to succeed in school and any impairments can cause a significant disadvantage.

Poor eye health can also lead to symptoms of eye strain, including headaches, fatigue, and poor attention. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2018)

In the developing world, children are also often tasked with caring for their blind family members, which can disallow them from attending school at all.

By making eyecare more accessible worldwide, we are making it possible for more children to receive a quality education.

Individuals living with vision impairments often have lower rates of workforce participation and productivity as it becomes more difficult — or even impossible — to work without one’s sight.

In addition, those living in developing countries often work in environments that cause long term vision impairments.

For example, farmers who spend a lot of time outdoors are exposed to the sun more often, which can result in cataracts. Due to lack of access to eyecare services, these individuals almost always reach advanced stages of cataract development.

By making eyecare more accessible worldwide, we can help re-facilitate participation in the workforce and ensure those in need can achieve economic growth and stability.

Millions of people are living with preventable blindness simply because they do not have access to the care they need.

Over 70% of these individuals are older than 50, 55% identify as women and girls, and over 90% are from rural, developing areas where the populations are disproportionately marginalized.

By making eyecare more accessible worldwide, we directly impact the inequalities these populations face.