Chennai: India Vision Institute (IVI), an NGO working to provide access to vision screening to the underprivileged and helping prevent avoidable blindness across India, 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 offer 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, 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 collaboration between Mercedez Benz and AKKA Technologies, and brings a fresh and functional approach to our product,” Mr Staehelin noted. For queries, contact Shekhar Nambiar, 9810154167.
