Expanding Access to Vision Screenings, Cataract Surgeries, and Eyeglasses

October 30, 2025

Public Health

Mike Bloomberg visits Barclay Elementary School in Baltimore, MD

An estimated one billion people worldwide live with untreated vision impairment.

The bad news is that vision impairment can limit kids’ ability to succeed in school, prevent skilled individuals from landing job opportunities, and overall affect a person’s well-being and daily life.

The good news is that many of the conditions that are to blame are treatable.

To address this issue, our Vision Initiative is taking several steps to improve and expand care.

For example, we’re partnering with Warby Parker to expand its “Pupils Project,” which offers free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to students in need throughout Boston, MA, Newark, NJ, Washington, D.C., and the greater Baltimore area.

Students receive vision screenings and eyeglasses at Ingenuity Prep Charter School in Washington, D.C.

In Bangladesh, our partners are ensuring that garment workers have the eyeglasses they need to improve their eye health and increase their earnings.

Factory workers receive vision screenings and eyeglasses as part of the Clear Vision Workplace initiative in Gazipur, Bangladesh.

In Cambodia, our partners are helping residents of all ages reach their full potential through vision screenings, cataract surgeries, and eye health education.

Students receive eye health education and vision screenings at Prek Leap High School, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The National Refraction Training Program and Eye Unit are seen at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital, in Phnom, Penh, Cambodia.

Learn more about our partners and the full scope of the Vision Initiative here.