Essilor India helps the disadvantaged « to see the world better »

In 2003, Essilor India conducted a study in partnership with the Aravind Eye Hospital to understand the reality of the terrain and think about a solution for the country. The restraints of time to come to the hospital and lack of regular support for patients were two main conclusions of problems observed. People in rural areas indeed travel long distances to hospitals to have checkups and get their subscriptions. Few villagers have this time (the hospitals are often at least a day trip away), and many simply use magnifying glasses, which further detriments their vision.

Then the "Bottom of the Pyramid" project was born. This is not a charitable project but an economically viable project despite the very low prices: eye exams are free and glasses complete with lenses and frames are sold from 3 to 5 dollars on average. These prices must cover the costs of distribution and production. (NB: the only transportation means to the hospital usually cost them $ 6).

Since 2006, several vans (the MRVP - Mobile Refraction Van Project), equipped for eye exams, stocks of glasses and sharpeners, go twice a month to isolated rural areas of India. Each truck is accompanied by six local staff who can speak the regional dialect: a driver, a co-pilot, two ophthalmic assistants, a seller, and a planning manager. Patients were examined on site or remotely via a satellite connection with a doctor from one of the two partner hospitals (Sankara Nethralaya or Aravind)