Study Finds Vision Correction Boosts Garment Worker Productivity by 6%; Shahi Exports to Expand Eye Screening

New Delhi, August 05, 2026: A landmark study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has found that providing eyeglasses to garment factory workers with uncorrected near-vision impairment increased productivity by approximately 6%, highlighting the economic and workplace benefits of vision correction.

The randomised controlled trial was conducted among sewing machine operators at factories owned by Shahi Exports, India's largest apparel manufacturer. The study found that 27% of screened workers had uncorrected near-vision impairment and did not own eyeglasses. As part of the intervention, 344 workers with presbyopia received free eyeglasses, resulting in fewer errors and higher output.

The research was implemented by VisionSpring and Good Business Lab, with academic leadership from Queen's University Belfast, the University of Michigan, and the University of California San Diego. Funding was provided by USAID, The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, and the Livelihood Impact Fund.

According to the study, the intervention—including vision screening, eyeglasses and follow-up support—cost less than USD 10 per worker and generated a 337% return on investment over three months. If sustained over a year, the projected return could rise to 1,647%.

Ella Gudwin, Chief Executive of VisionSpring and co-author of the study, said, “Eyeglasses are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve productivity in a factory. For factory owners in a highly competitive sector, having a workforce that can see clearly is an essential competitive advantage. Ministries of Labor in countries with large manufacturing workforces, including apparel and footwear, could achieve a rapid injection of economic growth by ensuring all workers see well to do well.”

Based on the findings, Shahi Exports has announced plans to introduce free vision screening across all its factories in India, covering a workforce of more than 100,000 employees.

Anant Ahuja, Director of ESG and Sustainability at Shahi Exports, said, “Through a simple pair of eyeglasses, we are investing both in the wellbeing of our workers and in the productivity of our business through an initiative that pays for itself. We will now roll out vision screening across all our factories in India.”

VisionSpring said the findings strengthen its efforts to position eye care as an essential component of workplace health, inclusion and productivity across global manufacturing supply chains.