Innovative eyewear transforms the lives of millions

Technological innovation in affordable, accessible and durable eyewear enables million of people to correct poor vision, allowing them to learn and earn.

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DOT Glasses is a social impact venture that has developed a remarkable solution for the millions of people around the world who have poor vision or who simply can’t afford glasses.

“It took us a few years and many failed attempts to get it right,” explains Chairman Philip Staehelin. “Our motivation was to make sure everyone in the world who needs eyeglasses, can get them. Our approach is simple: making quality eyeglasses available at a radically low price. Our product is durable, easy to assemble, and adjustable to fit different head shapes and be fashionable so that people love wearing our glasses every day.”

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The eyecare program and the glasses created by DOT Glasses addresses a truly global problem. Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from poor vision and face many barriers in accessing vision care and glasses including high costs, accessibility challenges and glasses that are not durable or appealing. Traditional vision correction with an optometrist is also inaccessible for many people living in low-income and rural communities. In Kenya, where DOT Glasses is headquartered, 6 million people can’t get the prescription glasses they need, and in all of East Africa, 65 million people need glasses. The WHO recommends one optometrist per 40,000 people, Kenya has only one per 250,000, predominantly in urban areas.

Addressing this wide-spread global health issue is a key reason why Madiro has chosen to partner with DOT Glasses. By providing a scalable and cost-effective solution for vision correction, DOT Glasses is having a far-reaching impact on the lives of millions of people. Imagine going to school and not being able to read the blackboard at the front of the classroom, or the rows in a field to plant seeds in a straight line. A pair of glasses can have a transformational impact: studies have shown that people with vision-correcting eyewear will increase their monthly income by 18% and be 30% more productive in their lives. Yet access to vision care and appropriate eyewear remains a major global challenge. 

Fortunately, DOT Glasses understood this early in their project development. One of their most important objectives is to make glasses easily available. They eliminate the need for trained optometrists. Their "Good Enough Vision" model utilizes a simple proprietary diagnostic tool, enabling local distributors and micro-entrepreneurs to identify near or far-sightedness, "prescribe" suitable lenses, and refer more serious eye conditions to specialists. In just 15 minutes and for $5, individuals receive durable, adjustable, one-size-fits-all frames with lenses that correct vision for 80% of those in need. Distributors are given a “vision kit” which includes vision testing equipment, lenses and frames, as well as training manuals and marketing materials. They are also trained and certified by DOT Glasses and receive ongoing technical support from the team. 

Most importantly, DOT Glasses has created glasses that are low-cost, making these affordable to families with the lowest-income.

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“Nawiri represents our typical customer,” explains Bradley Heslop, CCO. “She works hard on her small-holder farm to provide for her family. In school, Nawiri fell behind her peers and was ridiculed for squinting a lot and being slower than others because she couldn’t see the blackboard. She believed she wasn’t smart enough to do well in school. Her income fell below that of her peers due to her poor vision. Nawiri also struggles to see her newborn daughter’s face, especially at night. The DOT team would help Nawiri with free vision testing to determine if she needs eyeglasses or a referral to a specialist, and she would have the option to buy low-cost eyeglasses that are of high quality and with adjustable and durable frames to fit her lifestyle.” 

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DOT Glasses is currently in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and are excited to expand their operations to Tanzania in 2024. By 2027, DOT Glasses plans to be distributing at least 1 million glasses annually, and 10 million glasses by 2030, thus bringing to more people than ever, the life changing experience of clear vision.

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