The Value of Vision: The case for investing in 
eye health

The investment could curb global sight loss by 24%, preventing 255 million cases by 2030.

Individuals with MSVI or blindness are approximately 30%^[1] less likely to secure employment compared to those with unimpaired vision. Sight loss limits individuals’ ability to access and retain employment and contributes to substantial society-wide economic productivity losses.  
 
However, evidence indicates that investment in straightforward eye health interventions can swiftly and sustainably reverse these effects. Our analysis suggests that, following the recommended investments, approximately 2.1 million more people could gain employment, resulting in $37 billion additional income over the period of 2026-2030, increasing from $1.1 billion in 2026 to $15 billion by 2030. 

Individuals working with uncorrected vision impairment experience reduced productivity compared to their colleagues with good vision. This is caused by barriers to performing visual tasks and reduced access to information, as well as physical discomfort, isolation, and mental health challenges that further impact effectiveness. 

Evidence across diverse contexts shows that correcting near vision impairment can significantly boost productivity or income – by anywhere from 6% up to 67%,^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]} often with nearly immediate effects.  

Adopting a conservative estimate of 10%, we expect this intervention to generate income gains totaling $115 billion during 2026-2030, starting from $7.5 billion in 2026 to $43 billion by 2030. 

Caregivers of individuals with vision impairment face substantial demands that affect both their productivity and quality of life. Many of these caregivers – the majority of whom are women – would otherwise be active in the workforce. However, balancing caregiving duties with employment can lead to reduced working hours, unexpected absences, or even withdrawal from the workforce. 

By restoring vision, this burden can be eased by freeing caregiver time for employment and other productive activities. Employing conservative impact assumptions, we estimate that improved vision could unlock a total of $20 billion additional productivity, starting from $726 million in 2026 to $7.7 billion by 2030. 

Caregivers of individuals with vision impairment face substantial demands that affect both their productivity and quality of life. Many of these caregivers – the majority of whom are women – would otherwise be active in the workforce. However, balancing caregiving duties with employment can lead to reduced working hours, unexpected absences, or even withdrawal from the workforce. 

By restoring vision, this burden can be eased by freeing caregiver time for employment and other productive activities. Employing conservative impact assumptions, we estimate that improved vision could unlock a total of $20 billion additional productivity, starting from $726 million in 2026 to $7.7 billion by 2030. 

When people can’t see, they can’t drive safely. That’s why in most countries, good vision is necessary to receive a driver’s license. But in LMICs, driving license systems are often poorly enforced or widely informal. 

Poor vision increases the risk of road traffic accidents by nearly 50%.^[8] Traffic-related mortality is the leading cause of death among individuals aged 5–29^[9] in LMICs with profound consequences for individuals and their families. 

Our analysis suggests vision correction could reduce this burden saving an extra 5,847 lives and preventing more than 211,000 traffic injuries over 2026-2030. 

Sight loss is closely linked to mental health. There is consistent evidence that losing sight or living with eye disease significantly increases the risk of depression. Approximately 25%^[10] of individuals with vision impairment experience depression or depressive symptoms, and similarly caregivers can also be affected by depression. 

Evidence consistently shows that restoring vision significantly improves an individual’s mental health. About one in five of these cases associated with vision impairment can be alleviated through vision correction. By 2030, we estimate the avoidance of 1.7 million cases of depression.  

Vision impairment not only affects the eye, but exacerbates health, longevity and quality of life challenges as people age. 

Vision impairment is also associated with a heightened risk of mortality, particularly among older adults. The risk is nearly doubled ^[11] in individuals with MSVI, and is compounded by comorbidities, cognitive decline and an increased risk of falls and injuries. 

Focusing on the 65–75 age group, our analysis indicates that improved visual health could prevent approximately 12,300 deaths and yield nearly 80,000 additional years of life within the next five years.