Our Journey Continues: Three Months of Impact
As we reflect on the first three months of our D-Prize funded pilot program, we are humbled by what we’ve accomplished together with our communities in Bondo Sub-County. This milestone represents more than numbers—it’s about the lives changed, the volunteers empowered, and the vision restored.
When Presbyoptics Solutions was welcomed into the D-Prize community of changemakers earlier this year, we committed to tackling a challenge affecting millions: uncorrected presbyopia among adults aged 40 and above. We knew the barriers were significant—cost, limited availability, and the widespread misconception that reading glasses require a prescription. But we also knew our community-rooted approach could make a difference.
The Reading Glasses Challenge: Our Foundation
The D-Prize (Distribution Equals Development) Livelihood Challenge set a clear goal: sell reading glasses, reading spectacles, or near-vision glasses in hard-to-reach communities. The need was urgent. Globally, 826 million people with presbyopia lack access to basic reading glasses, with sub-Saharan Africa among the most affected regions.
The impact of uncorrected presbyopia extends far beyond inconvenience. Research shows that 80% of patients with uncorrected presbyopia struggle with near-related tasks like reading and sewing, corresponding to a 22% decrease in quality of life. For workers, correcting presbyopia can lead to a 22% increase in productivity and a 33% increase in income. The global annual productivity losses from uncorrected presbyopia are estimated at $367 billion USD.
In high-income countries, reading glasses are available at every pharmacy and supermarket without requiring a medical visit or prescription—a practice established for over 40 years. Yet in many low and middle-income countries, access remains extremely limited, often restricted to capital cities or requiring expensive healthcare visits for prescriptions that shouldn’t be necessary.
Our Three-Month Pilot: Impact by the Numbers
With up to $20,000 in D-Prize funding, we set ambitious but achievable goals for our pilot phase:
- Reach 475+ people aged 40 and above with affordable reading glasses
- Train 7 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and 5 Church-based volunteers in vision screening and inventory management
- Refer 100% of complex cases to qualified ophthalmologists for further care
Our approach centered on collaboration with existing community networks. By partnering with CHVs and church networks, we brought reading glasses closer to where people live, work, and worship. Local teams received training in basic vision screenings using tools like the Snellen Chart and WHOeyes app, enabling them to identify those who could benefit from non-prescription reading glasses and distribute them at subsidized costs.
Three Months of Learning and Growth
The past three months tested our model, validated our assumptions, and revealed opportunities for improvement. We embraced bold innovation while remaining grounded in the realities of community health work. Despite both global and local challenges, our team remained resilient—driven by the faces of those whose lives improved with something as simple as a pair of reading glasses.
Each person reached represents more than a transaction. It’s a tailor who can thread a needle again, a grandmother who can read to her grandchildren, a farmer who can manage accounts with confidence. These stories fuel our commitment and remind us why normalizing the use of reading glasses matters.
The Team Behind the Mission
This work is carried forward by our committed team:
Beatrice Achieng Abura, our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, brings over 10 years of experience as a Public Health Specialist in community health, program design, and implementation. Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping our community-centered approach.
Eugene Reywa Peywa, our Co-Founder and Project Coordinator for M&E, brings professional expertise in monitoring, evaluation, research, and data-driven development programs. Daktari’s commitment to evidence-based approaches ensures we measure what matters and learn continuously.
Together, and alongside our trained CHVs and church volunteers, we’re building a movement—one that recognizes vision care as a fundamental right and empowers communities to address their own health needs.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
As we step into 2026, our focus remains clear: to grow with intention, act with compassion, and deliver with excellence. We will continue strengthening systems, scaling impactful programs, and investing in people—because sustainable change is built through collaboration and shared purpose.
Our long-term vision remains ambitious: reaching 100,000 people within five years across Kenya. This pilot phase has shown us that this goal is not only possible but necessary.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every partner, supporter, and community member who has journeyed with us. Your collaboration has fueled our mission, strengthened our impact, and reminded us of the power of collective action. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and remain optimistic about the work ahead.
Together, we look forward to a new season of progress, innovation, and stronger communities. We believe that, alongside our local partners, we’re working to normalize the use of reading glasses and improve the quality of life for those often overlooked.
Ahsante Kwa Kazi (Thank you for your work).
Learn More: Presbyoptics Solutions Profile on D-Prize
Presbyoptics Solutions is a social enterprise committed to restoring vision and empowering communities through improved access to reading glasses among adults aged 40+ in Kenya.
Contact Us:
- Phone: 0700901301
- Email: info@presbyoptics.org
- Address: Nairobi, Kenya
Warm regards,
Beatrice Abura, Chief Executive Officer.
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