Focus on Vision Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ-list)

Why does Focus on Vision exist?

To offer an affordable solution to hundreds of millions of children and adults in developing countries who need eye correction but who cannot afford a simple solution like a pair of glasses or who do not have access to a specialist or an optician. Goal is that these glasses are acquired by existing relief organizations and given to those children and adults through their channels.

Why is it a problem if you do not have glasses?

• It is a social problem. Without glasses you are handicapped. If you cannot read, you will have trouble in keeping up in school and therefore children are often being seen as not very intelligent.
• It is an economic problem.
  • Without (reading) glasses people cannot carry out their job, which is their family income, because their eye sight is getting worse.
  • The poorest people often have to do the worst and heaviest jobs and for that they need good eye sight because their lives may depend on it.
  • Children have to (daily) accompany their parents which will be at the expense of their own personal development.
• It can grow out to become a bigger medical problem. Without glasses you can go blind.

What is so unique about these glasses? And why this solution?

Relief organizations only have to pay 1 Euro for each pair of glasses. The power of the lens is continuously variable and can be adjusted by the user so that there is no need for a specialist or for measuring equipment. It is a relatively simple mechanical product available to everyone.

Are there no other means which are easier and quicker?

No, not really.

There are so many charitable organizations, why should I donate to Focus on Vision?

Because for 1 Euro people can have proper eye sight and will be no longer handicapped.

There are also people who collect old pairs of glasses, that also works doesn’t it?

Recycling glasses is a great initiative, but the testing, documenting and cleaning of it takes up a lot of time and energy. Besides that, you would still need an eye specialist with the right measuring equipment for accurate correction and he or she is not available. The chance that someone corrects his left and right eyes with a pair of second hand glasses is quite small because the lenses need to be adjusted. For only a small part of those costs a continuously variable pair of glasses is available.

Are all glasses tested? And if so, who are they tested on?

The glasses are tested by both children and adults.

Are the glasses suitable for everyone?

The glasses come in two variants, one for children and one for adults. In both variants plus lenses and minus lenses can be placed. The ergonomic measurements of the children’s variant are aimed at Indian children between the ages of 11 and 15 years; this is the biggest single group in need. Worldwide, the ergonomic differences of the average measurements of the head do not differ very much.

How is it possible to go blind if you need glasses but do not have them?

Failing to correct eye defects with glasses in time can in some cases cause blindness. See the WHO website below with the conclusions of the study in question.
"Refractive error blindness", World Health Organization 2001

How can I be sure that my money goes where it’s supposed to go? I cannot find any annual report or something similar, is that right?

The foundation is registered with the Chamber of Commerce in the city of Eindhoven in the Netherlands, registration number 17162675. All donations are used for the full 100%. We do not have paid assistants or expensive offices.

Where do you get your money from?

By donating our own time and money and through donations by people, companies and institutions.

Where does the money go to?

It is used for production means to make a start with the production of millions of glasses in the 2nd quarter of 2008.

What about your legal structure?

Focus on Vision is a foundation without pursuit of profit, a non profit institution so to say. The foundation also has a PLC which gathers the revenue of the sales of the glasses to, for example, companies. The proceeds go entirely to the aim of the foundation which is to make the glasses available at the lowest cost possible.

Can I make a tax efficient donation?

Yes, you can. If you contact the foundation we can, by means of a notarial statement, arrange for you to make a tax efficient donation. With regard to the costs we can do this starting from 100 Euros per year. You can also donate your money via Paypal, as installed on this website.

I do not only want to donate money I also want to be involved; is that possible?

You are most welcome. You can enlist with one of our board members. Mail to info@focus-on-vision.org. Written information exclusively in English, German, French or Dutch please.

Is there an advisory council?

Not yet. We aim to install one in 2008.