Post office pilot in India offers free reading glasses to remote communities
8 reported
A pilot program in Assam State, India, is using post offices to provide free eye screenings and reading glasses to people who lack access to vision care. According to the World Health Organization, more than 800 million people worldwide suffer from presbyopia, but in many lower-income countries fewer than one in four who need glasses have them. The program, run by VisionSpring in partnership with WHO and the Universal Postal Union, screened over 5,000 people in five post offices between December 2025 and May 2026. Of those who received glasses, 80% were first-time wearers. The pilot is scheduled to end in September, after which organizers will review data and funding to decide on continuation or expansion. The model aims to demonstrate that postal networks can deliver health services to remote areas.
What’s reported
Sangita Kalita works at a kiosk in the Rangiya post office in Assam State, India, offering free eye tests and glasses.
The pilot program ran from December 2025 to May 2026 in five post offices, screening more than 5,000 people.
80% of those who received glasses were first-time wearers.
The program is a partnership between WHO, the Universal Postal Union, and VisionSpring.
India Post has over 150,000 offices, the world's largest postal network.
A study in The Lancet Global Health found reading glasses increased tea pickers' productivity by almost 22%.
Postmaster Babul Boro reported over 1,000 people came for eye tests, boosting postal service use.
The pilot is slated to wrap up in September 2026.
Key figures
Sangita Kalita: former school teacher, now operates the eye-screening kiosk at Rangiya post office.
Shweta Verma: deputy director for programs and operations at VisionSpring India.
Babul Boro: postmaster at the Rangiya post office.
Ella Gudwin: CEO of VisionSpring.
Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal: physician and senior contributing editor at KFF Health News.
Sources: NPR
