Testimonial:
Name: Gudrul Kutumba Rao
Gender: Male
Age: 44 Years
Occupation: Artisan
Location: Raithu Panjat Palem Village, Narsapur, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Gudrul Kutumba Rao visited the Eye-Screening Outreach Program and got his eye-testing done. He received a pair of reading glasses. He was able to see clearly with the reading glasses and was thankful that he would be able to read properly and able to perform his crochet work efficiently. He thanked the VSF team for making him aware of the benefits of the COVID-safety precautions and protocols, including educating him on hand hygiene and COVID vaccination awareness.
E. Improving the lives and productivity of the community members and their households in Punjab through COVID-safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VSF aims to enable eye-screenings and eyeglasses for the low-income population suffering from vision impairment.
Project Locations:
VSF have been conducting the Eye-Screenings Outreach Program in and around Chandigarh and Mohali and Patiala Districts of Punjab in India. VSF has been providing eyeglasses to those who require the same
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 10,816 community members in and around Chandigarh and Mohali and Patiala Districts of Punjab in India. Among them, 40% (n = 4,365) were males and 60% (n = 6,451) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 67% (n = 7,265) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 1,409) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 73% (n = 1,031) identified with suspected cataract and 27% (n = 378) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 85% (n = 6,201) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 46% (n = 2,825) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 54% (n = 3,349).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 74% (n = 4,584) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 85%.
*Please Note: 10,816 eye-screenings were conducted and 6,201 eyeglasses were dispensed during the period, July 2021 to September 2021.
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Testimonial:
Name: Srikant Kumar
Gender: Male
Age: 45 Years
Occupation: Worker in Dyeing Unit
Location: Bajrang Colony, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Srikant Kumar visited the Eye-Screening Outreach Program and got his eye-testing done. He received a pair of reading glasses. He was able to see clearly without any blurred vision. Srikant Kumar was thankful that he could now be more productive at work. Srikant Kumar was impressed with the way the VSF team introduced him to the COVID-safety precautions and protocols and counseled him on COVID vaccination.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans and their households in Moradabad and Bareilly Districts in Uttar Pradesh, India, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) identified weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Moradabad and Bareilly Districts in Uttar Pradesh in India. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) also collaborated on this program. After making the locations COVID-ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID-safe protocols. 13,639 weavers and their household members were screened for vision and eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. The objective is to make Moradabad a Clear Vision Cluster and make it a Model Cluster for other such weaver and artisan clusters around the country to emulate.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 13,639 weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Moradabad and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh in India. Among them, 40% (n = 5,405) were males and 60% (n = 8,234) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 70% (n = 9,540) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 1,631) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 72% (n = 1,167) identified with suspected cataract and 28% (n = 464) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4.Eyeglasses distribution: 88% (n = 8,408) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 54% (n = 4,553) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 46% (n = 3,855).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 86% (n = 7,249) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 88%.
*Please Note: 13,639 eye-screenings were conducted and 8,408 eyeglasses were dispensed during the period, July 2021 to September 2021.
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Programs/Projects Undertaken between 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021:
A. Improving the lives and productivity of tea garden workers and tea tribes in Assam in India through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) identified 2,000 tea garden workers, their families, and associated tea tribes in the Borjan and Lamabari Tea Estates in Assam in India. VSF supported them by organizing COVID response and relief activities to make them COVID-ready and prepare them to face the pandemic. In the previous quarter, 1st April 2021 to 30th June 2021, VSF distributed 1,840 kits to the tea garden workers. In July 2021, the balance 160 kits were distributed to the tea garden workers, thereby completing the distribution of all 2,000 kits as planned.
The activities included:
a. COVID awareness creation.
b. Training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols.
c. Distribution of hygiene kits (consisting of soap, detergent, masks, and information/awareness materials) to tea garden workers from the Borjan and Lamabari Tea Estates in Assam, India.
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Testimonial:
Name: Karanjit Kaur
Gender: Female
Age: 50 Years
Occupation: Housewife
Location: Mandir Panjala Village, Patiala District, Punjab, India
Karanjit Kaur visited the Eye-Screening Outreach Program and got her eye-testing done. She received a pair of reading glasses. She was able to see clearly with her reading glasses and was thankful that she could now read properly and perform her daily activities efficiently. She thanked the VSF team for conducting the Eye-Screening Outreach Program in their village as it was very difficult for women like her to take time out for an eye test.
F. Improving the quality of lives, productivity, and workplace safety of the factory workers by conducting COVID-safe eye-screenings and providing eyeglasses to those who require them through the Clear Vision Workplaces (CVW) program in the factories in Delhi NCR in India
Background and Scope:
VSF‘s Clear Vision Workplace (CVW) program is designed to increase the coverage of vision screenings and eyeglasses wearing for working-age adults in India. VSF works with workplaces and factories to integrate the same into their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The screenings are done with all COVID-safety protocols in place.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 9,639 factory workers in factories in Delhi NCR (Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurugram) and Pune, Maharashtra, in India. Among them, 76% (n = 7,316) were males and 24% (n = 2,323) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 43% (n = 4,184) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 3% (n = 320) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 14% (n = 44) identified with suspected cataract and 86% (n = 276) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 99% (n = 4,133) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 28% (n = 1,168) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 72% (n = 2,965).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 70% (n = 2,904) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 99%.
Please Note: 9,639 eye-screenings were conducted and 4,133 eyeglasses were dispensed during the period, July 2021 to September 2021.
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B. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers, and their households in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in India through COVID-safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) conducted eyeglasses outreach program for the weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in the artisans and weavers’ clusters in various locations in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in India. The project may also be extended to other states in India. The Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) also collaborated on this project.
VSF conducted eye-screenings by following the below mentioned protocols to ensure that the premises is COVID-ready:
a. COVID awareness creation and COVID readiness.
b. Training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols.
The objective of the project is to reach out to 25,420 artisans, weavers and their households in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, India, to conduct eye-screenings and distribute/dispense eyeglasses to those who require, as well as includes the referral of cataract and other complex eye disease cases to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment.
Around 14,670 weavers, artisans, spinners, and their households’ members in the weaver and artisan clusters of Hardoi, Budaun, Bhadohi, and Mirzapur Districts in Uttar Pradesh and in Bikaner, Jaipur, and Jodhpur Districts in Rajasthan in India were screened for vision and eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 14,314 weavers, artisans, spinners and their households in the weaver and artisan clusters of Hardoi, Badaun, Bhadohi, and Mirzapur districts in Uttar Pradesh and in Bikaner, Jaipur, and Jodhpur Districts in Rajasthan in India. Among them, 46% (n = 6,629) were males and 54% (n = 7,685) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 55% (n = 7,906) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 12% (n = 1,703) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 67% (n = 1,143) identified with suspected cataract and 33% (n = 560) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 84% (n = 6,604) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 55% (n = 3,599) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 45% (n = 2,980).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 92% (n = 6,082) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 84%.
*Please Note: 14,314 eye-screenings were conducted and 6,604 eyeglasses were dispensed during the period, July 2021 to September 2021.
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VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
Mission
To conduct/provide eye-screenings, eyeglasses, primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice to the people at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid.
Current Scenario
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, more than 700 million people in the developing world struggle with poor life quality due to bad eyesight. It is estimated that uncorrected vision results in $227 billion in lost productivity to the global economy. In India alone, an estimated 550 million (55 Crore) people require eyeglasses for vision correction. Blurry vision compromises one’s ability to work effectively, to read and learn in school, and to navigate surroundings with ease and safety. For many living in developing countries suffering from vision loss, a pair of eyeglasses could mean the difference between opportunity and loss of income and quality of life.
Activities
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is an NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice with FCRA Registration Number: 231661855. VSF also has the facility of providing eyeglasses to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach program. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. VSF also provides eye-care/eye-health advice centres and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest eye hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in India by aiding in restoring their vision.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) received a grant amount of INR 15, 34,14,639.57 from 1st January 2020 to 30th September 2021:
Testimonial:
Name: Rachna Yadav
Gender: Female
Age: 40 Years
Occupation: Production Unit
Factory Name and Location: Rateria Exports in Noida, Delhi NCR/Uttar Pradesh, India
Rachna Yadav visited the Eye-Screening Outreach Program organised in her factory and got her eye-testing done. She received a pair of reading glasses. She could now see clearly and was very happy and grateful to experience the gift of clear vision. Rachna expressed her gratitude to the VSF team for helping her with her vision issues as she couldn’t afford an eye check-up and also wasn’t able to take time off her work for the same.
G. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through the provision of eyeglasses
Locations: Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, and Tripura
VSF collaborated with multiple mission-aligned organisations/bodies such as National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) (Maharashtra), Blind People’s Association (Gujarat), Community Eye Care Foundation (Maharashtra), Kamal Welfare Trust (Maharashtra), Nootan General Hospital (Gujarat), National Health Mission (Assam), Seva Shourjya Sanstha (Tripura), Pratham (Delhi NCR), and Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi (Delhi NCR).
VSF provided 992 eyeglasses to children through this initiative. These eyeglasses will help children to see clearly and improve learning outcomes as 80% of learning is through vision. This would help children actively participate in school and would contribute to making their future bright.
Testimonial:
Name: Shabina Begum
Gender: Female
Age: 34 Years
Occupation: Weaver
Location: Nabas Masjid Weaver Cluster, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Shabina Begum visited the Eye-Screening Outreach Program and got her eye-testing done. She received a pair of reading glasses. After wearing the eyeglasses, she felt confident that she could now work consistently without seeking support from anyone. She was impressed with the way the VSF team introduced her to handwashing and COVID-safety protocols and educated her on the WHO guidelines regarding the same. The team also made her aware of the benefits of getting vaccinated to protect herself and her family from COVID.
D. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans and their households in Narsapur, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) identified weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Narsapur, West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh in India. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) also collaborated on this program. After making the locations COVID-ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID-safe protocols. 5,942 weavers and artisans and their household members were screened for vision and eyeglasses were provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases were referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. The objective is to make Narsapur a Clear Vision Cluster and make it a Model Cluster for other such weaver and artisan clusters around the country to emulate.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened a total of 5,942 weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Narsapur, West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh in India. Among them, 45% (n = 2,658) were males and 55% (n = 3,284) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 64% (n = 3,795) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 24% (n = 1,444) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 79% (n = 1,135) identified with suspected cataract and 21% (n = 309) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 97% (n = 3,690) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 62% (n = 2,296) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 38% (n = 1,394).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 73% (n = 2,698) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening outreach program.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 97%.
*Please Note: 5,942 eye-screenings were conducted and 3,690 eyeglasses were dispensed during the period, July 2021 to September 2021.
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