An Introduction to VisionSpring

Imagine you are a barber, tailor, mechanic, or weaver. Your job depends on your ability to see up close and clearly. But for millions of the most marginalized people in remote villages around the world, blurry vision can cause them to lose their livelihoods.

Yet it's entirely preventable. All it takes is a simple pair of ready-made glasses — the kind we find in the drugstore for mere dollars. Glasses are life-changing for those whose jobs depend on their ability to see up close. In fact, an investment in one pair of ready-made glasses can generate more than a 27 times return in income for the wearer.

The loss of near vision (presbyopia) is a natural occurrence among people over 35. For most, a simple pair of nonprescription eyeglasses is the answer. Getting a pair is another story for those whose daily income is less than $4.00 a day. Glasses are simply not available nor affordable. VisionSpring (formerly Scojo Foundation) is a not-for-profit economic development organization whose goal is to get quality, inexpensive eyeglasses into the hands of those who need them most.