The current geopolitical landscape is reshaping global aid priorities, making maximizing the impact of every development dollar essential. While crises and challenges rightly command the world’s attention, overlooked issues can offer transformative potential. Vision care is one such solution — an efficient and impactful intervention that can yield significant returns across a range of development indicators.
Good vision isn’t just about seeing clearly; it’s about unlocking human potential. A child struggling to learn due to uncorrected vision is deprived of educational opportunities, which ultimately hinders their future economic prospects. An adult unable to work safely and productively faces economic hardship, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Addressing vision impairment is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental necessity for sustainable development.
Globally, 1 in 3 people lack access to essential vision care. This gap represents a staggering loss of human potential and economic productivity, and vision care offers a relatively straightforward and cost-effective solution with far-reaching benefits.
The impact of vision correction also extends beyond individual well-being. It ripples through communities, boosting economic growth, improving educational outcomes, and enhancing overall quality of life. Recent research by global consulting firm Dalberg showed that for first-time wearers of eyeglasses, vision correction can generate a social return on investment of up to 64 times, driven by gains in productivity, reductions in injury, and improved mental well-being — benefits that echo through families and local economies. Consider the potential of a farmer who can now accurately assess their crops or a seamstress who can work with precision, increasing their income and contributing to their family’s prosperity.
Vision matters for development
Vision impacts development in profound ways, and here are few key reasons why:
• Educational attainment: Good vision is essential for effective learning, reducing dropout rates, and improving literacy.
• Economic empowerment: Corrected vision enhances workforce productivity, increasing incomes and economic growth, particularly for women who often face disproportionate barriers.
• Health and well-being: Good vision reduces the risk of accidents, improves mental health, and contributes to overall well-being.
• Alignment with global goals: Addressing vision impairment directly supports the achievement of several of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
Looking ahead
Despite its impact, access to vision care remains uneven, and service demand is often low due to a lack of awareness. We must prioritize raising public awareness about the importance of good vision and the availability of affordable solutions. Creating demand for vision care services is crucial for ensuring interventions reach those who need them most.
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, in collaboration with partners, is dedicated to building sustainable vision care ecosystems in underserved communities. We focus on training local eye care professionals, establishing accessible vision centers, and raising awareness about the importance of eye health. We are also proud to be a global collaborating partner of the WHO SPECS 2030 initiative, which aims to increase access to spectacles and help to bring the global issue of poor vision to the forefront of global health.
The WHO SPECS 2030 initiative is a crucial step toward addressing the global burden of vision impairment. As the global collaborating partner, we can bring together our collective expertise and resources to scale up vision care services and ensure that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to see clearly.
So the call to action? Start with good vision, because good vision changes everything. Integrating vision care into existing development programs such as education, health, and economic empowerment is an easy first step to providing greater access and raising awareness among the communities most in need.
Vision care offers a relatively simple yet powerful solution in a world facing complex challenges. By prioritizing vision, we can unlock human potential, drive economic growth, and create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
To learn more about the power of inclusive vision care, visit onesight.essilorluxottica.com
About the author
Lauren Wyper
As head of communications and awareness for the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Lauren Wyper has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and NGOs to bring about positive change through communications. A specialist in health advocacy, she has delivered global communication strategies with a focus on Asia-Pacific and Africa. She graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a master's in History and has an international background, having lived in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe.
