Wazi Vision Access

Wazi Vision Limited

Wazi Vision Access

Expanding access to quality eye care through hospitals, pharmacies, and retail stores, making vision services affordable and convenient.

Kampala, Uganda

UGA

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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Globally, over 2.2 billion people suffer from vision impairment or blindness, with nearly 1 billion cases being preventable or correctable. In Uganda, access to eye care is limited due to high costs, a shortage of optical services, and low awareness about vision health. The majority of Ugandans lack health insurance and must pay out of pocket, making quality eyewear unaffordable. This became personal for Brenda, a Wazi Vision co-founder, when she needed glasses. At an optical store, she found them prohibitively expensive even with insurance. She realized that if insured individuals struggle, millions without insurance have even fewer options. This drove her to create affordable, high-quality eyewear and accessible vision care. Uganda faces a severe shortage of optometrists, with most services concentrated in towns. Additionally, imported eyewear remains costly, forcing many to go without glasses or rely on poor-quality alternatives. Our solution integrates optical services into retail stores, pharmacies, and hospitals, ensuring affordable eye tests, prescription glasses, and vision care are accessible where people already seek health services. By leveraging hospital partnerships and retail networks, we are breaking barriers to affordable, quality eye care, improving lives and productivity.

Wazi Vision is dedicated to making quality eyewear and vision care accessible through retail stores, pharmacies, and hospitals. We design and manufacture sustainable eyewear using locally sourced materials such as cow horn, bamboo, and eco-friendly acetate. Unlike imported frames, our designs fit the unique facial features of Ugandans, ensuring comfort and affordability. Our flagship store at our manufacturing premises provides eye tests, customized eyewear, and repairs. To expand accessibility, we plan to open more retail locations and partner with pharmacies to distribute reading glasses and BlueBlock eyewear, which protects against blue light exposure. These partnerships ensure that people can access affordable eyewear conveniently. Additionally, we collaborate with hospitals, such as Ssebbi Hospital, to provide eye testing and prescription eyewear. This allows us to reach underserved populations who might otherwise struggle to afford vision care. Education is also key to our impact. Many Ugandans lack awareness about eye health, so we integrate education into our outreach efforts through eye camps and retail visits. By leveraging local resources and strategic partnerships, Wazi Vision is bridging the vision care gap, ensuring more Ugandans can access the eyewear and eye care services they need.

Wazi Vision serves low- and middle-income individuals across Uganda, particularly those who lack access to affordable eye care. Many Ugandans do not have health insurance and cannot afford quality eyewear, leading to untreated vision problems that affect their education, work, and overall well-being. Limited awareness about eye health further worsens the problem, as many people do not seek testing or treatment until their vision significantly deteriorates. To address this, Wazi Vision provides accessible and affordable eyewear through retail stores, pharmacies, and hospital partnerships. We also conduct eye camps where we offer free eye testing services and distribute free eye drops to those in need. To sustain these efforts, 10% of every frame sold goes toward funding these eye camps and testing services. Additionally, we make affordable reading glasses available in pharmacies, ensuring that people can easily access vision correction without financial strain. By integrating sales, community outreach, and healthcare partnerships, Wazi Vision is breaking barriers to vision care. Our solution ensures that underserved populations receive the eye care they need, improving their quality of life, productivity, and overall health.