(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, UK — Global social enterprise VisionSpring announces its partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to significantly scale vision screening and eyeglasses operations across Bangladesh, Nigeria, and India. VisionSpring will play a critical part in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative, a new $75 million global effort to expand access to vision care for millions by conducting vision screenings for 11.5 million people, distributing nearly seven million pairs of eyeglasses, and restoring sight for 250,000 people through cataract surgeries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States.
VisionSpring makes this announcement to mark World Sight Day, highlighting the critical need for eye health around the world. One billion people live with poor vision, creating barriers to education, work, and opportunity. In most cases, the solution is simple: a pair of eyeglasses.
Through the program, VisionSpring will screen 6.22 million adults and 120,000 children for vision impairment, and dispense near and distance vision eyeglasses to correct the vision of 3.1 million people.
VisionSpring will reach people in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and India where they are – through workplace screenings, primary healthcare integration, and community-based programs. To make this possible, VisionSpring is expanding its operations in Nigeria and Bangladesh while deepening collaboration with local partners.
In Bangladesh, VisionSpring is launching its See to be Safe program for commercial vehicle drivers and See to Learn for school-based vision screening. Both are successful initiatives in other countries which VisionSpring is now replicating to reach Bangladeshi communities. In Nigeria, VisionSpring is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to integrate vision screenings and reading glasses into primary healthcare services.
This expansion builds on partnerships with NGOs, government health departments, and private sector collaborators who work within communities every day.
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“This is a landmark moment in the global effort to make clear vision available to all. We are incredibly grateful for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ visionary leadership,” said Ella Gudwin, CEO, VisionSpring.
“Clear sight unlocks opportunity, dignity, and safety. Behind each of the 3.1 million pairs of eyeglasses is an individual whose life will change for the better, and with them, the lives of their families and communities. We’re proud to play our part in this initiative, alongside other global eyecare organizations, in a shared mission towards clear vision.”
“As many as one billion people live with a condition that is an enormous obstacle to success in school and careers: poor vision. And in most cases, it can be easily fixed,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and 108th mayor of New York City.
“Through our new Vision Initiative, we’re teaming up with experts to expand access to screenings, eyeglasses, and cataract surgeries – and empower millions more people to fulfill their potential.”
The Vision Initiative supports VisionSpring alongside a coalition of eye health organizations, including Warby Parker, Aravind Eye Care System, Sightsavers, and Orbis. Read the full list of Vision Initiative partners here.
