Local women walk along, carrying various items on their heads

Glasses study shows huge productivity boost for workers

A landmark study, published today in The Lancet Global Health, showcases how a simple pair of glasses can boost workers’ productivity and reduce poverty.

The PROSPER (PROductivity Study of Presbyopia in Rural-dwellers) trial of Indian tea pickers has found that provision of a $1.80 pair of reading glasses improved productivity by 22% over a three month period. The results were even more profound in the over-50 age group with a 32% increase in productivity. This represents the largest ever recorded productivity increase from any health intervention.

Orbis collaborated on the study, which was sponsored by Clearly, a global campaign to ‘help the whole world see’.

Involving 750 mostly female tea pickers on plantations in Assam, the ‘randomised controlled trial’ showed that the daily weight of tea picked by those given glasses increased by over five kilos, translating into increased income for the tea pickers and their families.

Lady picking tea in Assam

Productivity rose by 22% with a $1.80 pair of gasses

This increase in women’s earnings has a far-reaching impact; reducing poverty in the community and improving health and well-being for children. Over 95% of those taking part in the trial said they would recommend them to others, showing how valuable the glasses were found to be.

If the improvement was replicated across India’s crop industry it would mean an extra $20 billion in growth from productivity gains alone.

Commenting on the study, principal investigator Nathan Congdon, Orbis Director of Research said: “We thought it was crucial to demonstrate that performance, even of tasks which may not seem obviously visual, can be boosted so impressively by glasses.

"Nearly 90% of workers were still wearing their glasses by the end of the study and virtually all were willing to pay to replace them if needed– people knew they were benefiting from better vision.”

There are 253 million people in the world with moderate-to-severe visual impairment with 90% living in low- and middle-income countries where access to eye care is scarce. Seven hundred years after glasses were invented, this study highlights the transformative effect they can have on global productivity and should encourage companies all over the world to ensure their workers have access to glasses and other eye care treatments.

The critical insights we get from our research inform our evidence-based approach to tackling global vision loss. If you are interested in funding Orbis research, please contact [email protected].

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A simple pair of glasses can transform lives

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