OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Partners with WHO on SPECS 2030 Initiative
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has announced a collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global partner in the SPECS 2030 initiative. This strategic alliance is set to accelerate progress toward the world’s first global target for effective refractive error coverage—a 40% increase by 2030—endorsed by WHO Member States during the 2021 World Health Assembly.
This partnership represents a significant step toward addressing refractive error, combating the rise of myopia, and expanding access to vision care, especially in underserved regions, according to EssilorLuxottica. By leveraging expertise in knowledge sharing, technical input, and data-driven strategies, the collaboration aligns with the United Nations' “Vision for Everyone” resolution, ensuring impactful and sustainable solutions for global eye health.
"Vision care is not just a health priority – it is a social and economic imperative," Dr. Jérôme Salomon, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, said in a news release. "The SPECS 2030 initiative, which underpins the UN ‘Vision for Everyone’ resolution, reminds us that effective collaboration can amplify impact, delivering tangible results for communities worldwide."
The SPECS 2030 initiative focuses on five key pillars:
- Services: Enhancing access to refractive services.
- Personnel: Building the capacity of eye care professionals.
- Education: Raising public awareness about eye health.
- Cost: Making eyeglasses and services more affordable.
- Surveillance: Strengthening data collection and research efforts.
The Foundation will contribute by sharing best practices, providing technical expertise, and offering critical data to ensure the effective implementation of these pillars.
"Uncorrected poor vision affects 2.7 billion people worldwide, posing a significant global challenge. As a result of the Foundation’s efforts, 961 million people in some of the most remote communities now have access to vision care services within a day’s travel, and 84 million pairs of eyeglasses have been provided to those in need. However, achieving the Foundation’s ambition of eliminating uncorrected poor vision in a generation will require collaborations that amplify impact. By uniting WHO’s leadership in public health with our expertise in delivering innovative, on-the-ground solutions, we believe we can create a multiplier effect to extend vision care to even the most underserved regions. Together, we have the power to transform lives and uplift entire communities," said Anurag Hans, Head of Mission at EssilorLuxottica and President of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation.