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You are here: Home Health & Fitness Healthcare Dutch glasses could offer vision to one billion people

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16/11/2009Dutch glasses could offer vision to one billion people

Dutch glasses could offer vision to one billion people The idea has been around for a while but the model from Frederik van Asbeck offers something extra: "adjustable glasses." Glasses that people can adjust to suit their vision.

By turning small wheels found on the side of the frame the user is able to change the strength of the glasses.

The variable lens is based on a lens principle that consists of two lenses with a special determined form. Its corrective (cylindrical) power changes when the lenses are moved in opposite direction.

It is a simple principle, but requires a very high level of expertise for it to work properly.

The spectacle

Esthetics plays an important role. Therefore various models, designed for specific target groups will be produced on the long term. The design of the Focusspec fits 90 percent of the target group and is such that it comfortably fits around the head and on the nose.
 


The glasses are designed for people in developing countries who cannot see and have no access to an optician. According to the WHO that would be around one billion people. The glasses will be sold at cost price and that would be between two and four U.S. dollars.

The first glasses will be issued next month by Dutch soldiers in Uruzgan to the Afghan people. Van Asbeck has the will to produce over the next years one million of these glasses. But once the production gets going, more of them are expected to be manufactured. The glasses will be assembled in developing countries, because according to Asbeck,  it is so simple that even a blind person can do it.
 
FREE GLASSES

Is it too expensive for you or someone you know to buy a pair of glasses?
Here is your chance to win one of those glasses from the Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
The first 50 from Africa who react to this article will receive one pair for free.
So do not wait any further!  Mail us your name and address at africa@rnw.nl and don’t forget to mention if you are farsighted or nearsighted.

Radio Netherlands



1 reaction to this article

Warren Oats posted: 2009-11-17 01:11:14

Read the complete article, and searching for more information.
An idea and process past the time needed. Thanks to all those that worked for this solution for an important sense.

Is there, will there be a possible solution for the working poor in the United States of America ?

Thank you for the article.

Add a comment

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1 reaction to this article

Warren Oats posted: 2009-11-17 01:11:14

Read the complete article, and searching for more information.
An idea and process past the time needed. Thanks to all those that worked for this solution for an important sense.

Is there, will there be a possible solution for the working poor in the United States of America ?

Thank you for the article.

Add a comment
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