There is a global vision crisis, and OneSight announced findings from The Global Need for Glasses Study yesterday, World Sight Day. The study revealed an astonishing amount of people need glasses and vision care around the world but simply don’t have access. In particular, the study found:
- Of the 2.5 billion people in the world that need glasses, 1.1 billion people lack access to glasses. That means 1 in 7 people around the world can’t see clearly because they do not have access to a simple pair of glasses.
- The crisis is most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. In certain countries up to 44% of the population needs glasses but lacks the access to get them.
- There are 239 million children globally who need glasses, but lack access.
“Clear vision can fundamentally change someone’s world and help unlock their full potential. Yet, for 1 in 7 people around the world, clear vision is not accessible. We can begin to solve this issue by bringing awareness to the global vision care crisis,” Jason Singh, O.D., OneSight Executive Director, said in a release. “We know the difference a simple pair of glasses can make in a person’s life. A child may be able to see the blackboard clearly for the first time. A parent may be better able to support their family by producing more at work, all thanks to clear vision. The immediate and long term impact is powerful.”
Here are some World Sight Day highlights from Twitter:
Show us your #HandGlasses for the 1 billion who need glasses but lack access. #HelpTheWorldSee @OneSightOrg pic.twitter.com/QvdAkyWWdH
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) October 8, 2015
1 in 7 people don’t have access to vision care. #HelpTheWorldSee with @OneSightOrg pic.twitter.com/lyv38kTofO
— Randy Jackson (@YO_RANDYJACKSON) October 8, 2015
Yewww!! It’s World Sight Day! ????????#HelpTheWorldSee pic.twitter.com/7Y0zbEVBSr
— Jeremy Loops (@JeremyLoops) October 8, 2015
So incredibly privileged to afford eye care. I want to #HelpTheWorldSee with @OneSightOrg & @AlBairre ?????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/jKIGKTZIEO
— Ammie Henson (@bt16) October 8, 2015
Eddie wants to #HelpTheWorldSee too! @OneSightOrg pic.twitter.com/RuAJ4jZL0J
— Molly Crabill (@MollyCrabill) October 8, 2015
. @currencaples, show me your #HandGlasses so we can help @OneSightOrg #HelptheWorldSee for #WorldSightDay pic.twitter.com/wN1bSD4J05
— Ryan Sheckler (@RyanSheckler) October 8, 2015
1.1 Billion People Need Glasses. *You* can #HelpTheWorldSee https://t.co/LiiaaR5ET8 @OneSightOrg pic.twitter.com/EGU84eJsm1
— Irv Cassio (@irvcassio) October 8, 2015
???????? Today is World Sight Day! Show your support by tagging #HelpTheWorldSee @OneSightOrg @ray_ban and @ us too!???????? pic.twitter.com/N0iTnl4VRu
— ?The Plastics? (@ThePlastics) October 8, 2015