The provision of spectacles at low cost

It is estimated that the sight of one fifth of the population could be improved by the use of spectacles, including the sight of about 10 of schoolchildren. Spectacles are easily available and widely used in developed countries, but the situation is different in many developing countries, where spectacles are sometimes difficult to obtain, and are often too expensive for most people to buy. However, relatively simple techniques exist for the production and assembly of spectacles and these could be used in developing countries to improve the availability of simple spectacles at moderate cost. This booklet provides general information in this field, review the production and assembly techniques, and describes some of the experience gained in certain developing countries which may be interested to others. It will be invaluable to health administrators and to the staff of national bodies or of international nongovernmental organizations interested in making spectacles more readily available at low cost.