VisionSpring, the social enterprise committed to accelerating the use of affordable eyeglasses, has announced a new range of glasses to tackle blurry vision in Ghana.

3 million Ghanaians have uncorrected blurry vision. In other words, about one in ten Ghanaians just need a simple pair of eyeglasses to see clearly. Most of those who need eyeglasses and do not have them are in low-income communities.

Eyeglasses can improve a person’s ability to do a wide variety of day-to-day activities and have been shown through academic research to help people increase their productivity at work and enhance their well-being. A study published earlier this year found that the incomes of people in low-income communities can grow by a third when they start wearing eyeglasses.

However, a combination of a lack of affordable eyeglasses and the stigma associated with wearing them prevents Ghanaians from getting the glasses they need to see clearly.

To address this problem, VisionSpring is launching a new range of eyeglasses with a broad array of styles and colours. There will be highly affordable frames, specifically targeted at those on lower incomes, as well as mid-range and more premium products.

Ghanaians will be able to buy eyeglasses made from high-quality materials in 23 colours and 29 unique styles.

Fundamental to VisionSpring’s approach to vision correction is the belief that all customers must be provided with choice, which is why a spectrum of colours and styles is being made available at all the different price points.

Ella Gudwin, VisionSpring CEO, explains: “Eyeglasses don’t just help us to see better, they are a part of our identity and our style. At VisionSpring we believe that every eyeglasses-wearer should be able to choose a pair of frames that they love. That’s why we’ve launched this brand-new range, available at a price point that works for every customer. Everyone deserves the dignity of choosing glasses that they are excited to wear.”

In partnership with VisionSpring, St. Ignatius Eye Care Center provides eyeglasses to more than 1,500 low-income earners each month. According to Dr. Ignatius Yeboah, CEO of St. Ignatius Eye Care Center, “The quality, durability, and affordability of VisionSpring products are unmatched. The new designs have been a game-changer for my clients, providing them with both comfort and quality while boosting revenue.”

Dr Ignatius was one of the key speakers at the launch of VisionSpring’s eyeglasses collection and was joined by other esteemed panellists including Dr. Boateng (Bo) Wiafe, Chair of the Primary Eye Care with International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and Dr. Kali Nahashon, Head of the Eye Clinic at the University Health Services in Legon.

The event took place at the Airport View Hotel and helped raise awareness of the importance of vision correction in Ghana.

About VisionSpring

Founded in 2001, VisionSpring is the social enterprise accelerating the use of eyeglasses in emerging and frontier markets.

Its mission is to increase lifelong earnings, learning, safety, and well-being through eyeglasses for people vulnerable to poverty.

The organisation believes in the wonder of clear vision for everyone and envisions a world in which all who need glasses will have them to see well and do well by 2050.

As of 2023, VisionSpring corrected the vision of more than 12 million people living on less than $4 per day, unlocking more than $2.6 billion in income-earning potential.

VisionSpring has received honours from the Skoll Foundation, Aspen Institute, World Bank, Duke University, and Tribeca Film Festival, among others.

Its work has been covered by BBC | The New York Times | The Economist | The Lancet and more. www.visionspring.org.