Good eye sight is an essential need for children and adults around the world. Poor eyesight has a significant effect on a person's everyday life, on the family and on the community at large. As a result of uncorrected visual impairment, millions of children are losing educational opportunities, adults are unable to work and families are pushed into poverty. Refractive errors (near-sightedness and far-sightedness) can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with eyeglasses. A simple sight test and eyeglasses from First Sight could make a dramatic difference to the lives of more than 246 million people suffering with poor vision (WHO Fact Sheet N°282- Updated August 2014).  

POOR VISION CHALLENGES

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

• 246 million people around the world have uncorrected refractive errors
• Worldwide, poor vision is the 3rd leading causes of disease and disability
• 12 million children under 15 years of age are visually impaired
• 90% of these children live in developing countries
• Nearly 80% of what children learn is obtained visually.
• Millions of children are losing educational opportunities, adults are unable to work and families are pushed into poverty
• Without good eyesight, adults can lose their livelihood because they can’t be productive in their daily work outside of the home
• Refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism) can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with eyeglasses
• A simple sight test and eyeglasses from First Sight could make a dramatic difference to the lives of more than 246 million people suffering with poor vision
• Researchers estimate that the global productivity loss due to uncorrected visual impairment in people aged 16-50 years is $121.4 billion per year.

First Sight provides immediate impact - participants are treated on the spot and can happily walk away with a pair of customized eyeglasses in 15 minutes! Improved eyesight makes it possible for children to go to school and for adults to enjoy productive lives immediately. When people are empowered to have good eyesight, they are transformed and can often start leading healthier and more productive lives.

• First Sight provides a sustainable system of eye-care to impoverished regions of the world at a reasonable price. Using First Sight kits, refractive errors can easily be diagnosed, measured, and corrected, even by non-professionals. Clinical trials conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center demonstrate that First Sight glasses are accurate, can be administered in any environment, and do not require electricity. The glasses are durable and come in a variety of colors and styles.
• No specialized eye training is needed to accurately measure and treat the refractive error using the First Sight technique. In terms of visual acuity, 100% of the clinical trial patients, falling in the target range, and without underlying eye disease, were corrected to 20/20 acuity or better.
• First Sight partners with local NGOs, philanthropic organizations, faith-based organizations, and school systems to make its glasses available to the neediest communities.

• Rotaract Club (a Rotary International-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 10 to 30) has, two years in a row, successfully distributed First Sight eyeglasses in Anguilla, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while the Opportunity Education Foundation distributed First Sight in Ghana and Tanzania. Through Omaha West Rotary Club’s contributions, free eyeglasses were provided in Cambodia, Haiti and Guatamalla.