Special edition: Visionomics - how eyeglasses drive economic growth

About this episode

The episode discusses the economic impact of addressing near-vision loss and the concept of 'visionomics' as a means to drive development.

In a special edition of the This Week in Development podcast, Devex Executive Vice President Alan Robbins sits down with Ambassador Keisha McGuire, chief global affairs officer at RestoringVision , to explore the profound economic ripple effects of addressing near-vision loss, or presbyopia. While often dismissed as a mere "annoyance," age-related vision loss is a significant barrier to global health and economic development. RestoringVision has coined the term "visionomics" to describe the vital intersection of vision, health, and the economy. For millions in low- to middle-income countries, the inability to see clearly can lead to a devastating economic impact on households, communities, and countries. The case for investing in vision is mathematically undeniable: For every $1 invested in vision services in these regions, there is a $28 return on investment . Despite this, eye health has historically lagged behind other global health priorities. However, the tide is turning with major new funding commitments and increased political mobilization leading up to the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health in November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. By treating vision not just as a…

People in this episode

Host: Alan Robbins

Guest: Keisha McGuire

Topics covered

• economic growth
• vision health
• global development
• presbyopia
• Sustainable Development Goals
• investment in health

Keywords

• eyeglasses
• economic impact
• visionomics
• global health
• investment
• poverty reduction
• Sustainable Development Goals

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RestoringVision, Devex, Global Summit for Eye Health

Places: Antigua and Barbuda

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