A Suite of Studies Exploring the Impact of Vision Care on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Background: Our past studies have shown that free glasses improve children's studies and adult's work productivity, helping launch large government and industry programs to provide glasses in China and India. We will expand studies to new areas where vision transforms lives. Approach: We will study the impact of giving glasses on: - Slowing cognitive decline in Indian nursing home residents. Three-quarters of them need glasses, and there is evidence vision loss may be linked to cognitive decline, but definite proof is needed. - Improving safety of young motorcycle drivers in Vietnam, who have high rates of both poor vision and accidents. - Enhancing use of smartphone banking apps among the elderly in Bangladesh receiving digital government benefits, who cannot see to use smartphones - Improving learning among far-sighted children in Zimbabwe. Impact: Vision programs launched by successful studies can deliver better mental health in aging, safer streets, enhanced financial resilience and improved children's learning.