The challenge of providing spectacles in the developing world.

It is estimated that 2.3 billion people worldwide have refractive error. The vast majority of these could have their sight restored by spectacles, but only 1.8 billion people have access to eye examinations and affordable correction. This leaves approximately 500 million people, mostly in developing countries (close to 1/3 are in Africa) and many children, with uncorrected error causing blindness and impaired vision. Many are not aware that there is a cure for their compromised vision, have no one to provide treatment, or cannot afford the appliances they need. The way to eliminate uncorrected refractive error is through the development of all aspects of a self-sustaining system, including human resources to provide eyecare services; and spectacles, to correct vision.