Style-Eyes

670 million people – 10% of the Worlds population lives on less than $2.50 per day and cannot afford spectacles. 200 Million people need spectacles to see or Low Vision Aids for people with Trachoma and Cataracts. A 21st century production and distribution process needs to be adopted, as the donated spectacles do not meet the Gold Standard of full refractive correction and are merely an approximation of a person’s visual prescription. The World Health Organisation recognises that the current method of providing people living on less than $2.50 per day with donated spectacles from a developed country needs to change. A number of charities and NGO’s are currently attempting to increase the number of disadvantaged people who have access to prescription glasses. Ultimately the existing process, where by spectacles are donated by every day wearers in developed countries, limits these organisations and NGO’s. In many cases the organisations dispense a frame from the donated frames that is as ‘near as possible’ to the required prescription and this is where an optician uses a technique called ‘best spherical correction’. This means that the spherical correction element of the prescription is a close as possible match as opposed to a 100% correct prescription. In many cases the person who has been given a pair of spectacles will not like the style, shape, colour or even that it is second hand and this results in non-use of the donated frame. The Style-Eyes spectacle is completely adaptable to every person globally; regardless of size, ethnicity, s*x and environment. Following an eye examination the prescription is established and the optician chooses the required lenses from their selection of lenses and the Style-Eyes spectacle is assembled. The unique lug system securely fits the lenses to the frame and allows complete universality for the face size, PD, prescription and fit of the nose. The spectacle version that will be utilised in disadvantaged areas can be assembled using a minimum number of tools and the requirement for a dedicated glazing facility is removed using pre-cut 40mm lenses. A second set of pre-cut lenses can be fitted to include prisms, plano top varifocals and low vision aids. The frame designed for the high street accommodates a variety of lens shapes and side trims, tailored to their personal requirements. Encouraging fashion focussed consumers to engage in the design process. Where the NGO provide a glazing facility the disadvantaged customer can choose a lens shape to suit them in the same way as the high street customer. The company’s ethical business model supports the supply of donated frames in that for every pair that is sold on the high street one pair is donated to the NGO free of charge.