VisionSpring has conducted vision screenings for 500,000 garment workers so far in a bid to enhance their wellbeing and livelihoods and has set a target of screening an additional 500,000 workers in the next two years.
On World Sight Day (12 October) VisionSpring CEO Ella Gudwin says: “Serving half a million workers demonstrates that this life-changing intervention scales.”
VisionSpring says it has already distributed eyeglasses to 188,000 factory workers and for 78% it was their first pair of glasses.
The Clear Vison Workplace alliance includes US fashion companies Levi Strauss, VF Corporation, which owns brands such as The NorthFace, Vans, and Timberland as well as glasses retailer Warby Parker and Deckers Brands who are responsible for brands such as UGG and HOKA.
VisionSpring says the extensive vision screenings conducted in Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam highlights a widespread but resolvable issue.
It explains Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam collectively contribute over 17% of the world's apparel exports by value, a figure that continues to grow each year so having a workforce with clear vision is an essential competitive advantage.
The programme sees each of the US businesses work with the factories in their own supply chains to organise and finance the vision screenings. The eyeglasses provided to the factory workers are funded by Warby Parker.
VisionSpring points out the benefits of glasses are especially evident among workers aged 35 and older, who may experience an age-related decline in vision.
The organisation claims that for working adults, clear vision enhances their ability to perform detailed tasks, leading to increased earnings, improved job security, and support for career advancement. Simultaneously, their factories benefit from heightened productivity, improved work quality, and reduced waste.
Gudwin adds: “There are many millions more workers in need of a pair of eyeglasses, an estimated 1.2 million garment workers in Bangladesh alone. We invite brands and manufacturers to join the alliance so we can give every one of them the glasses that will extend their careers and protect their livelihoods.”
Benefits of project for US fashion companies
Levi Strauss Foundation director of programmes Kim Almeida says: “Through our partnership with VisionSpring, we've seen that providing workers with optometry care can have a profound impact on not only their productivity and earning capacity, but also on their ability to take care of their families and participate in all the intricate aspects of life."
VF Corporation worker and community development programme manager Jens Aas adds: "Clear vision empowers people to stay in their job longer, increase their income potential, and experience improved quality of life. Correctable blurry vision is a problem that, if businesses, non-profits and government all work together, can be solved.”
Deckers Brands vice president of sustainability and compliance Brooke Beshai agrees: “Meaningful partnerships like this provide people with the resources they need to flourish — including equitable access to vision care.”
The alliance includes partners like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), VisionSpring, and more than 150 manufacturing organisations.
