IVI to trial pilot project with startup on new solutions to eye care
India Vision Institute (IVI), an NGO working to provide
access to vision screening to the underprivileged and helping prevent avoidable
blindness across India, today launched a pilot project with DOT Glasses, a
young startup company, to trial innovative, low-end prescription eyeglasses,
which could revolutionise vision care delivery.
“The project has the potential to make a real
difference to delivering vision care, especially to disadvantaged communities
in remote corners of India,” said IVI CEO Vinod Daniel.
“With our
reach and experience of work across India since 2012, the project can become a
real and powerful tool – with on-the-spot delivery of eyeglasses - to tackle
vision impairment.”
“The project can provide a simple solution to
the problem of vision impairment, especially among inaccessible rural
communities, through a technology designed by Mercedes Benz,” Mr Daniel noted.
India is
among the ten most affected countries afflicted with the problem of vision
impairment. Many have unsuccessfully tried to solve or eliminate the problem so
far.
“DOT Glasses offers simple
solutions. It’s a new paradigm in eye care. Our glasses are low-cost and robust
in design, yet fashionable enough to make spectacles wearable,” said
Philip Staehelin, CEO & Founder, DOT Glasses.
The startup aims at large-scale production of its patented, one-size-fits-all eyeglass frames. These frames, together with a “transformational lens concept” and proprietary vision testing tools, can revolutionise access to eye glasses in the remotest corners of the world, according to Mr Staehelin.
“This technology will be a win-win for all. With its reach to the far-flung corners and communities of India, IVI is uniquely placed to help with the trial of the project, which when commercialised, will attempt to solve the world’s vision problem,” he added.
“The DOT
Glasses vision kit is a patented, snap-together, adjustable frame designed by
MBtech, the result of a collaboration between Mercedez Benz and AKKA
Technologies, and brings a fresh and functional approach to our product,” Mr
Staehelin noted.
About India Vision Institute
India Vision Institute (IVI) is an independent, not-for-profit registered trust established in 2012. It is focused on supporting and promoting eye health awareness, research, education and technological development in Indian Optometry to advance capacity in vision correction, and prevention of eye disease and blindness. (www.indiavisioninstitute.org )
About DOT Glasses
DOT Glasses, a young startup led by CEO and Founder, Philip Staehelin, that has recently launched large-scale production of its patented, one-size-fits-all eyeglass frames. The company has developed a transformational lens concept and proprietary vision testing tools that, in combination with the super low-cost frames, will help provide access to eyeglasses in remote corners of the world. Its pilot in Angola in 2018 initially proved that the design and lens concept worked well in the field, which then led to the full-scale launch in 2019 (with an initial focus on India). The DOT project was recognized by the Czech President, and it won a matching funds grant from CzechAid (its largest grant ever awarded). (www.dotglasses.org)
For queries, contact
Shekhar Nambiar, 9810154167.