According to a new study commissioned by OneSight, nearly two-thirds of Americans are unaware that lack of access to vision care and eyeglasses is a significant issue in the United States, believing this is a problem that only plagues developing countries like Rwanda, Nicaragua and The Gambia. The study, which examined Americans’ perception of undiagnosed vision impairment, was commissioned by OneSight, an independent nonprofit founded by Luxottica Group which is leading the global movement to help the world see, and independent research firm, Wakefield Research, in honor of World Sight Day 2016.

There are one in seven people around the world who are living without access to an eye exam or pair of glasses. In the U.S., one in four students has an undiagnosed vision problem significant enough to impact their academic performance. Despite the magnitude of the global vision care crisis, only 35 percent of Americans realize this issue exists, much less in their own back yards.

While they may not be aware of how many people in the U.S can’t receive an eye exam or pair of glasses, Americans can imagine the practical and emotional consequences of lacking access to clear vision. When asked what issues they may face if they had visual problems that kept them from seeing clearly, 60 percent said that they would lose their independence and many fear that it would impact other aspects of their life, including being less productive at work or school (41 percent), earning a living (43 percent) or facing new medical issues (31 percent). Respondents also believed they would feel limited (41 percent), depressed (34 percent) or helpless (33 percent). For the 1.1 billion people living without access to an eye exam or pair of glasses, these challenges are an every-day reality.

This World Sight Day (October 13, 2016), OneSight is bringing awareness to the vision care crisis with the launch of their #UNBLUR campaign. #UNBLUR is a digital movement that unites people around the world to show first-hand what lack of access to vision care looks like and how a pair of glasses can have a life-changing impact. Access to vision care and a new pair of glasses could empower a student to reach their full potential, a parent to better connect with their children or a provider to get a better job and increase their earning potential.

From Australia to India to South Africa, OneSight is igniting a global movement to #UNBLUR Life by driving advocacy and funds to help provide eye exams and glasses to the 1.1 billion people across the world who need glasses, but lack access. OneSight is encouraging everyone to join the global #UNBLUR movement by:

Donating $10 at onesight.org/donate; $10 can help provide a pair of glasses to a person in need.

Watching and sharing the #UNBLUR 360 virtual reality video at onesight.org/unblur to see how clear sight can empower someone to reach their full potential.

Joining the #UNBLUR Twitter party on October 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT to be a part of the global conversation and learn how you can #UNBLUR Life for someone in need.

“At OneSight, we’re doing everything we can to #UNBLUR Life for the 1.1 billion people who lack access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses,” said Mony Iyer, OneSight’s Executive Director. “We’ve seen first-hand how clear vision has the power to unlock potential and change how someone sees their future. We know that access to vision care can become readily available to every community and country and we will not stop until the world can see.”

OneSight is committed to making access to clear vision a reality through immediate and long-term solutions for underserved communities worldwide. Together with volunteers and partners, OneSight provides same-day access to vision care and establishes permanent clinics staffed by local, capable partners to serve each community’s distinct needs. This week OneSight has charitable clinics in the U.S. (Salt Lake City, Utah), Australia and in S. Africa that will provide underserved children and adults with comprehensive eye exams and glasses.

Knowing the impact clear vision can have on someone’s future, industry-leading optical brands are also rallying behind the digital movement to #UNBLUR Life, including: Glasses.com, LensCrafters, Oakley, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Sunglass Hut, and Target Optical.

Additional Survey Findings:

Nearly 60 percent of Americans (56 percent) would miss seeing their family member’s or friend’s faces the most if they had impaired vision.

Four in ten Americans (41 percent) say they would miss nature or scenery.

Nearly one in four (23 percent) fear they would lose social connections like friends and family members.

Only 9 percent of people say they would miss interactive technologies such as social media or video games.

The survey reveals the responses from 1,000 U.S. national representative adults aged 18+, to determine American’s awareness of vision care issues in the U.S. The Survey was conducted from September 13 – September 19, 2016 using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older. The margin of error for results is +/- 3.1%.

For more information on #UNBLUR visit www.OneSight.org/unblur and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OneSight.