Why Wearing Eyeglasses Makes You Sh2M Richer In Your Lifetime

Correcting vision problems in children by providing glasses could significantly increase their lifetime earnings by up to KSh2 million, according to a report from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the Seva Foundation. These findings were released in conjunction with World Sight Day, observed on October 10th.

The study highlights that over 86,000 children in Kenya suffer from uncorrected refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness) or astigmatism, impairing their ability to learn.

This vision-related learning loss translates into a substantial economic burden, with nearly 25,000 school years lost annually due to poor eyesight.

Addressing these vision issues early could save the Kenyan economy approximately KSh14.7 billion each year, a figure that surpasses the government’s projected expenditure on vocational and technical training.

The findings emphasize the profound impact that a simple pair of glasses can have on a child’s future.

A child who begins wearing eyeglasses at the age of five and continues until they reach adulthood could see their lifetime earnings increase by 125% compared to a child whose vision problems remain uncorrected.

Victor Opiyo, President of the Optometrists Association of Kenya, underscored the importance of timely intervention. “Our children’s vision plays a crucial role in their learning and future opportunities. Unfortunately, many children do not receive the necessary eye care in time,” said Dr. Opiyo.

In Kenya, many children miss out on eye exams and glasses either because their parents are unaware of the problem or cannot afford corrective measures. Yet, early intervention can lead to lasting positive outcomes.

“Eye health for young people is not a luxury—it is essential to their future success,” noted Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB.