Programs/Projects Undertaken between 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021: A. Improving the lives and productivity of artisans, weavers and their households in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses
Background and Scope:
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) conducted eye-screenings outreach program for the weavers, and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India. VSF conducted eye-screenings by following the below mentioned protocols to ensure that the premises is COVID ready:
*COVID awareness creation and COVID readiness.
*Training on hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing protocols.
The Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) also collaborated on this project.
VSF have completed 23,497 eye-screenings of artisans, weavers, and their families in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India, and distributed/dispensed eyeglasses to those who required from February 2021 to December 2021. VSF have also referred cases of cataract and other complex eye disease to nearby hospitals for further diagnosis and potential treatment.
VSF team screened weavers, artisans, and their families in the clusters of Hardoi, Badaun, Bhadohi, and Mirzapur districts in Uttar Pradesh and in Bikaner, Jaipur, and Jodhpur districts in Rajasthan, India. 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. 500 PPE kits were distributed to beneficiaries.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened 812 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 in Rajasthan, India, among them 45% (n = 369) were males and 55% (n = 443) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 70% (n = 564) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 11% (n = 92) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 73% (n = 67) identified with suspected cataract and 27% (n = 25) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 95% (n = 534) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 62% (n = 333) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 38% (n = 201).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 79% (n = 422) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 95%.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) Activity Report: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
Mission
To provide eye-screening, 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 $227 billion in lost productivity to the global economy. In India alone, an estimated 550 million (55 Crore) people require eyeglasses for vision correction. Blurry vision compromises one’s ability to work effectively, to read and learn in school, and to navigate surroundings with ease and safety. For many living in developing countries suffering from vision loss, a pair of eyeglasses could mean the difference between opportunity and loss of income and quality of life.
Activities
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) is an NGO (not-for-profit) that does eye-screening for the poor people, provides primary eye-care services, and eye-health advice with FCRA Registration Number: 231661855. VSF also has the facility of providing eyeglasses to those who need them. VSF conducts community outreach activities and free eye-screening camps. The mobile eye-care units (vans) go to the remote interiors and provide last mile vision-care services to the poor. VSF also provides eye-care/eye-health advice centres and refers patients with complex eye diseases (such as cataract, etc.) to the nearest eye hospital. VSF helps change the lives of the poor people in India by aiding in restoring their vision.
VisionSpring Foundation (VSF) received a grant amount of USD ($) 22,30,084 from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021:
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Krishna
Gender: Female
Age: 40 Years
Occupation: Tailor in sewing unit
Factory Name and Location: Reputed Factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Krishna visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of eyeglasses for her weak eyesight which was affecting the quality of her work. She was facing difficulties in performing her daily chores at workplace and at her household. Krishna was grateful to VSF team for providing her with gift of clear vision that will enhance her productivity.
F. Improving the lives and educational outcomes of children through the provision of eyeglasses
Locations: Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan in India
VSF collaborated with multiple mission-aligned organisations/bodies such as National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) (Maharashtra), Rotary International District (Delhi-NCR), Vagad Vision Development Society (Rajasthan), Blind People’s Association (Gujarat), Community Eye Care Foundation (Maharashtra), Kamal Welfare Trust (Maharashtra), Seva Shourjya Sanstha (Tripura), Drishti Suraksha Kendra (Jharkhand), and Shishu Vihar Trust (Gujarat).
VSF conducted eye-screenings of 34,704 children and provided 4,930 eyeglasses from October 2021 to December 2021. These eyeglasses helped children to see clearly and improved learning outcomes as 80% of learning is through vision. It helps children to actively participate in school and would contribute to making their future bright.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of children: Screened 34,704 children in various states of India.
2. Eyeglasses distribution: 4,930 eyeglasses were distributed to the children who had refractive error.
3. First Time Wearers (FTWs): Out of 4,930 children, 3,106 were the first-time wearers.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Tanuja Sharma
Gender: Female
Class: 10th
School: Shirdi Sai Baba School
Beneficiary: Student
Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India
Tanuja had refractive error and unclear vision but never got her eye-screening done due to lack of awareness about importance of eye health. She was unable to focus on her studies due to unclear vision. She received pair of eyeglasses by the efforts of VSF. She was delighted as now she can see the blackboard clearly and without any strain.
Pictures
Testimonial 1:
Name: Mr. Nasaram
Gender: Male
Age: 35 Years
Occupation: Rug Weaver
Location: Daulatpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nasaram visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of reading glasses for his near vision problem. He was facing health issues such as headache, vomiting, and nausea due to weak eyesight and was struggling while performing his daily chores. He was grateful to VSF for providing him with the gift of clear vision as it will improve his earning potential.
Testimonial 2:
Name: Mr. Hajpal Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 38 Years
Occupation: Rug Weaver
Location: Kamolia Village, Uttar Pradesh, India
Hajpal Singh visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of reading glasses for his near vision. He broke his eyeglasses and could not go to optical centre for getting it repaired due to his busy work schedule. Unclear vision was hampering his productivity and he was also having headache and pain in the eye muscles. He was grateful to VSF for providing him the gift of clear vision as it will solve his blurry vision problem.
B. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans and their households in Moradabad and Bareilly, 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 in Uttar Pradesh, India. VSF associated with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) for this program. After making the locations COVID ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. From April 2021 to December 2021, VSF has completed 20,000 eye-screenings of weavers and artisans, their families, and provided eyeglasses to those who required them. VSF also referred those with complex eye diseases to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. 1000 PPE kits were distributed to the beneficiaries.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened 6,096 weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Moradabad and Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, among them 44% (n = 2,682) were males and 56% (n = 3,414) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 66% (n = 4,037) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 16% (n = 956) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 75% (n = 712) identified with suspected cataract and 25% (n = 244) 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 = 3,546) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 53% (n = 1,890) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 47% (n = 1,656).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 85% (n = 3,030) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 88%.
Testimonial:
Name: Ms. Chanmakuri Padmavathi
Gender: Female
Age: 40 Years
Occupation: Artisan
Location: Malaki Puram Village, Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Chanmakuri Padmavathi visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of reading glasses for her near vision. She was unable to get her eye check-up done due to lack of eyecare facilities in the region. She was facing difficulties in performing her daily chores at workplace and at her household. She was extremely grateful to the VSF team for organising the outreach program in her village and for providing her the gift of clear vision through eyeglasses.
D. Improving the lives and productivity of the community members and their households in Punjab, India, through COVID safe eye-screenings and provision of eyeglasses, in association with Clear Vision Punjab
Background and Scope:
VSF aims to enable eye-screenings and eyeglasses for the low-income population suffering from vision impairment.
Project Locations:
VSF conducted eye-screenings of 20,000 community members in and around Chandigarh, Mohali, and Patiala Districts of Punjab in India from January 2021 to December 2021. VSF provided eyeglasses to those who require the same. 928 PPE kits were also distributed among the beneficiaries.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened 3,082 community members in the Rupnagar and Patiala districts in Punjab, India, among them 43% (n = 1,328) were males and 57% (n = 1,754) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 66% (n = 2,024) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 13% (n = 401) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 77% (n = 307) identified with suspected cataract and 23% (n = 94) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 87% (n = 1,767) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 47% (n = 829) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 53% (n = 938).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 66% (n = 1,170) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 87%.
*Please Note: VSF have conducted 16,918 eye-screenings, out of 20,000 eye-screenings from January 2021 to September 2021 under this program.
Pictures
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Vinesh Kumar
Gender: Male
Age: 40 Years
Occupation: Crochet work weaver and embroidery
Location: Hazipur Khajuria village, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
Vinesh visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of reading glasses. He was facing difficulties while performing his daily tasks due to his blurry vision. He was also facing health issues due to unclear vision. He was grateful to VSF for providing him with the gift of clear vision. He further mentioned that with his limited income it was a challenge for him to buy eyeglasses.
C. Improving the lives and productivity of weavers and artisans and their families in Narsapur in West Godavari district in 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 in West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh, India. VSF associated with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) for this program. After making the locations COVID ready, VSF conducted eye-screenings with the COVID safe protocols. VSF is conducting eye-screenings of 20,000 weavers and artisans, their families under this program from July 2021 to March 2022. Further, eyeglasses would be provided to those who required them and those with complex eye diseases would be referred to the Government/other hospitals in the area for further diagnosis and treatment. 1,000 PPE kits were distributed to beneficiaries.
Eye-Screening Statistics*: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened 9,218 weavers and artisans, their families, and associated communities in Narsapur, West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, India, among them 49% (n = 4,566) were males and 51% (n = 4,652) were females.
2. Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 54% (n = 4,960) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 27% (n = 2,496) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 63% (n = 1,566) identified with suspected cataract and 37% (n = 930) identified with other complex eye diseases had been referred for further diagnosis to tertiary care hospitals and/or community health centres.
4. Eyeglasses distribution: 89% (n = 4,391) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 60% (n = 2,661) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 40% (n = 1,730).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 88% (n = 3,846) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 89%.
*Please Note: VSF had conducted 5,942 eye-screenings, out 20,000 eye-screenings from July 2021 to September 2021 under this program.
Testimonial:
Name: Mr. Jaswant Singh
Gender: Male
Age: 43 Years
Occupation: Librarian
Location: Daun Kalan Village, Patiala District, Punjab, India
Jaswant Singh visited the eye-screening outreach program and received a pair of reading glasses for his near vision. He was unable to afford eye check-ups due to financial constraint. Unclear vision was hampering his productivity and he was also having headache and pain in eye muscles. He was delighted after receiving his pair of eyeglasses as now he can see clearly.
E. Improving the quality of lives, productivity, and workplace safety of the factory workers by organising 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:
Clear Vision Workplaces (CVW) program of VSF was designed to increase the coverage of eye-screening and provide eyeglasses to working-age adults in India. VSF works with workplaces and factories to integrate the same into their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The eye-screenings were done with all COVID safety protocols in place. 891 PPE kits were distributed to beneficiaries.
Eye-Screening Statistics: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2021
1. Distribution of people screened: Screened 14,530 factory workers from the factories in Delhi, NCR (Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram), Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, Patiala, Punjab and Pune, Maharashtra India, among them 84% (n = 12,221) were males and 16% (n = 2,309) were females.
2.Refractive error (poor vision) rate among the screened population: 50% (n = 7,277) of all the screened individuals identified with refractive error/presbyopia.
3. Referrals made for the screened population: 3% (n = 445) have been referred to the hospitals out of whom 13% (n = 56) identified with suspected cataract and 87% (n = 389) 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 = 7,240) of all population identified with refractive error/presbyopia received eyeglasses; Reading Glasses: 36% (n = 2,617) and Prescription (Rx) Glasses: 64% (n = 4,623).
5. First Time Wearers (FTWs): 78% (n = 5,632) of the people who received their eyeglasses got their first ever pair of eyeglasses through the eye-screening camps.
6. Post-coverage rate in the population was 99%.