
Vision Ambassador is an inclusive business model that aims to increase the number of primary vision care providers to expand access to affordable eye care in local communities.
Difficulties in correcting vision 90% of people with uncorrected vision live in developing countries where there is a severe lack of eye care professionals and optical outlets. Existing eye care services are often in cities and not accessible for people living in rural or remote areas. Sometimes they can be equally difficult to access for low-income populations in urban areas.


Community based Vision Care
Essilor’s Vision Ambassador program enables local entrepreneurs to supplement their income and serve their community by providing vision correction. Vision ambassadors receive one day of training to learn the basic skills required to carry out near vision screenings and to sell reading glasses and sunglasses. The program was initially launched in China in 2014 and has since been adapted to the local needs of underserved areas across India, Brazil and several South East Asian and African countries.
People serving their community
The profile of vision ambassadors is diverse. It can range from health service workers, local shopkeepers to women wanting to contribute to their family income and help their local community whether it’s a rural village or low-income city settlement. Often they are mobile, equipped with a backpack of screening materials, visual health information and a range of eyeglass products.

A key strength of the program has been working with the right partners, including eye care hospitals, skills-building agencies, local NGOs and other social impact organizations. This enables our teams to tailor the program to local needs. Its real impact: to educate communities about visual health, bring vision correction to people`s doorstep and enable them to purchase a pair of glasses.

Since 2013, Essilor has been exploring different inclusive business models to solve the issue of access to vision care by creating the infrastructure to serve ‘base of the pyramid’ consumers.
