India stands to unlock more than Rs 15,600 cr by getting spectacles for visually impaired students, says an international study.

India stands to unlock more than R15,600 million a year by getting glasses for visually impaired students, according to an estimate released by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with the Seva Foundation, an international non-profit organization focused on the treatment of blindness. and other visual impairments.

Every school day, 3.4 million Indian children go to class with uncorrected vision. However, these children with refractive errors – such as nearsightedness or long-term or astigmatism – could not see boards and books, read much less than their peers, the study found.

The study estimates that the Indian economy will gain more than R15, 600 crore every year through improved perception among school children about better education. Each of these children who receive glasses at school will earn up to R483,000 more over their lifetime, it is claimed.

According to the study, if five-year-olds are given glasses in primary school and if they continue to wear them until they are 18, they will, on average, earn 55.6%. fixed.

The statistics, which were based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, showed that a visually impaired child learned about as much as a sighted or corrected-to-normal child, he added.

Peter Holland, Chief Executive, IAPB, said: “Early intervention, regular eye tests and access to quality eye care and glasses are critical to unlocking educational opportunities and future economic potential for children. Eye health for young people is not optional – it is essential to their future”.

Brad Wong, Chief Economist, Seva Foundation said: “With this first global estimate of the real learning loss related to low vision, we see how much our children can gain by getting glasses when they need them. With India standing to gain 1.2 million school years, this is more than China and Brazil who come in second and third place, standing to gain 730 and 310 million school years respectively.”

A study titled, “Learning and loss of economic productivity from uncorrected refractive errors in schools” also showed that correcting children’s vision will translate into greater economic benefits and GDP growth.