Presbyopia: How Providing Reading Glasses Can Boost Income and Quality of Life in Developing Countries

In developing countries, the lack of access to affordable reading glasses can have significant consequences, such as a decrease in income and the inability to perform tasks that require close vision. Presbyopia, also known as the look of age, is a common cause of visual disturbances that typically begins around the age of 50. People may notice difficulty reading small print on newspapers or medicine bottles, leading them to use reading glasses. However, in some parts of the world, these simple tools are not readily available.

An international group of healthcare workers, vision specialists, and sociologists distributed reading glasses to villagers in Bangladesh as part of a Thrive project in 2017. The study found that providing reading glasses to individuals affected by presbyopia significantly improved their quality of life and increased their income by about 38%. The distribution of reading glasses was shown to be an effective solution for improving people’s ability to work and support their families.

The study was published in the science journal Plos One and emphasized the importance of addressing vision problems like presbyopia in developing countries. The researchers found that providing access to affordable reading glasses could have a profound effect on individuals’ ability to work and improve their economic stability. With millions of villages around the world, this solution could potentially benefit many more individuals in need.

Overall, this study highlights the positive impact that simple interventions can have on individuals’ lives. By addressing vision problems like presbyopia with solutions like providing access to affordable reading glasses, communities can improve their overall well-being and economic stability.