Bringing (clear) sight to the world
I wear contacts daily and glasses in the evening when my eyes wear out for the day. I can see without them but I wouldn’t say it would be the safest for me to operate a vehicle or similar machinery sans lenses.
For some reason, as a kid (and as an adult, I suppose) one of the things that seemed to always choke me up a little was when I saw a young person whose glasses got broken or were “mended” somehow. Not exactly sure why, but I assume it had to do something with knowing how much glasses cost and the fact that I didn’t grow up in the most affluent of areas.
Seeing clearly is one of the things we take completely for granted and one of the reasons I stretch the life of my contacts far longer than the doctor/box recommend. I am fortunate enough to be in the position to afford to see things as they are but know worldwide there are many who cannot claim the same. Which is why the following article caught my attention this afternoon:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver
British inventor and former professor Josh Silver has created adjustable lens glasses so that a wearer can change their prescription without the need to visit an optometrist or in many circumstances, have the optometrist visit them.
His goal of fitting 1 million people in India with them in the next year is grand, his goal of fitting 1 billion people around the world by 2020 is fantastic. Think of the cost involved even if he never made a dollar. Even if the cost was in the tens-of-billions, I’d say it is worth it. And I’d give to the cause.
This is the kind of innovation I’d like to see more of: devices that benefit others. Solar cooking, water purifiers, hearing devices and walking/mobility devices are just some of the things that get me excited.
On top of it all they look cool enough that I’d even wear a pair if they were available to the public.
Now, back to my heated house outfitted with high-speed internet access, microwave ovens, refrigerated cooling systems and enough food provisions to last a while. Just a small reminder to remember where you’re at this time of year…
Wow…that’s pretty amazing.