Glasses for Classes
Our Glasses for Classes students have big dreams. They want to become teachers, doctors, engineers and accountants.
But first, they need to be able to see.
A pair of glasses can help them read the board, keep up with their lessons and pass their exams — giving them the chance to turn their ambitions into reality.
Your donation could help a child see clearly today — and see a future full of possibility.
40,261 Eye Tests. 5,000+ Pairs of Glasses. Thousands of Chances to See Clearly.
Glasses for Classes started after we discovered that children were leaving school because they simply couldn’t see properly. Unable to read the board, follow lessons or study effectively, they were falling behind, failing exams and losing opportunities for their future.
We knew something as simple as an eye test — and, where needed, a pair of glasses — could change that.
40,261 eye tests later, and more than 5,000 pairs of glasses provided, we’re helping children see the lessons, the opportunities and the future in front of them.
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The struggle to see
Many of the schools we visit have little or no electricity so classrooms can be dark with worn blackboards, crowded classes and textbooks that need to be shared putting eyes under immense strain. Some students will struggle with distance, and others will struggle with near vision. Â
It all starts with a basic eye test
Every student who is struggling to see properly is given a basic eye test. Using eye charts at two different distances we can find out whether students are short sighted (myopia) or long sighted (hyperopia). Â
Short or long sighted?
About 60% of the children we help are long sighted (+ prescription) and are 30% short sighted (- prescription), and around 10% have astigmatism where they have an irregular shaped cornea or lens – a common eye condition that causes blurry or distorted vision.  A few children will need special shaded glasses for photophobia – a painful condition making reading and writing extremely hard.Â
We have a minimum prescription to make sure glasses are provided to students that really need them.  Our eye tests have discovered not just whether children are short or long sighted, but have also diagnosed glaucoma and trachoma, and we’ve been able to organise subsequent treatment. Â
How our glasses are made
Will, a retired optician, makes up the glasses for free – including providing the lens blanks. Will very kindly donates 200 hours of his time a year to make up the glasses, using frames that are donated to him from opticians.   By looking at the prescription and the image of the student wearing the trial glasses, Will can make the glasses.Â
A clear future
Our Glasses for Classes students have big ambitions – they want to be teachers, doctors, engineers and accountants. A pair of glasses means they’ll be able to see what they’re studying, pass their exams and fulfill those ambitions!Â
How £25 can change a life
All in, our glasses cost between £20- £25 per pair to make. When you consider the life-long impact it makes on a child’s education and future, as well as their family and community… this could be the best £25 you ever spend.
Interested in partnering with us?
 See our School Partnerships page and our Business Partnerships page for more information.
