In developing countries, the lack of access to affordable reading glasses can have significant consequences. Presbyopia, a common cause of visual disturbances that typically begins around the age of 50, can make it difficult for people to read small print on newspapers or medicine bottles, leading them to use reading glasses. However, in these countries, reading glasses are not always easily accessible.
In an effort to address this issue, 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 researchers highlighted the impact of distributing reading glasses to communities in need. The study was published in the science journal Plos One and emphasized the importance of addressing vision problems like presbyopia in developing countries and the positive impact that simple interventions can have on individuals’ lives. By providing access to affordable reading glasses, communities can improve their overall well-being and economic stability.