The women reported that six months after their vision was corrected with glasses, they could once again work with precision, increasing both their productivity and income.

Many of the women also said they felt more independent, able to make decisions about their businesses without relying on others, whilst their confidence grew, and they became more active in their communities.

Family members and local leaders also noticed the change. Husbands acknowledged that their wives were more self-reliant, while community leaders recognised the contributions of these women in decision-making spaces.

The research has been published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Lead author on the research, Dr Ving Fai Chan, Senior Lecturer in Global Eye Health from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast, explains: “For many craftswomen in Zanzibar, intricate work such as weaving, tailoring, pottery, and soap-making is not just a livelihood - it is a lifeline.

“Yet, as they age, many struggle with presbyopia, a common vision condition that makes close-up tasks difficult. Without access to affordable reading glasses, their ability to work, earn, and support their families diminishes.”

The study looked at the impact of correcting presbyopia on their subjective well-being (SWB) six months post-correction and assessed the cost-effectiveness of a women-targeted presbyopia correction programme.

Beyond improving livelihoods, the initiative had a profound effect on well-being. Before receiving glasses, many craftswomen rated their subjective well-being (SWB) at a low 3.34 on a 10-point scale. After six months of using their glasses, this score jumped to 8.14.

The study also assessed cost-effectiveness, revealing that each SWB score improvement cost just $19.50, with a monthly average cost of $3.40 per improvement. The most efficient way to deliver this intervention was by using female screeners, organised transport, and ready-made glasses. This highlights a scalable and sustainable approach to bringing clear vision to more women.

Dr Fatma Omar, the National Eyecare Coordinator in Zanzibar, added: "Our study proves that a simple pair of reading glasses can do much more than correct vision - they can restore livelihoods, build confidence, and improve overall well-being. For the craftswomen of Zanzibar, clear vision means more than just seeing - it means thriving.

“Scaling up access to presbyopia correction could be a game-changer for women in low-resource settings worldwide. With affordable, accessible eye care, we can unlock potential, create economic opportunities, and help women lead fuller, more independent lives. Because when women see clearly, the future looks brighter for everyone.”

However, the study found that while economic and social empowerment improved, political empowerment, such as influencing family decisions or taking on leadership roles, remained unchanged. This suggests that while better vision is transformative, deeper societal shifts and mentoring are needed to open more doors for women in leadership.

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Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk