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British inventor Josh Silver, a former professor of physics at Oxford University, has come up with a game-changer of a product design with his water-lensed glasses.
Silver has devised a pair of glasses which rely on the principle that the fatter a lens the more powerful it becomes. Inside the device's tough plastic lenses are two clear circular sacs filled with fluid, each of which is connected to a small syringe attached to either arm of the spectacles.The wearer adjusts a dial on the syringe to add or reduce amount of fluid in the membrane, thus changing the power of the lens. When the wearer is happy with the strength of each lens the membrane is sealed by twisting a small screw, and the syringes removed. The principle is so simple, the team has discovered, that with very little guidance people are perfectly capable of creating glasses to their own prescription.
You can mass-produce millions of these, rather than manufacturing myriad individual lenses each tuned to a user's specific vision deficiencies. And while the one-size-fits-all mentality may not fly in developed nations, Silver's goal is to help the hundreds of millions of people in developing countries who suffer from poor eyesight.
Silver calls his flash of insight a "tremendous glimpse of the obvious"--namely that opticians weren't necessary to provide glasses. This is a crucial factor in the developing world where trained specialists are desperately in demand: in Britain there is one optometrist for every 4,500 people, in sub-Saharan Africa the ratio is 1:1,000,000.The implications of bringing glasses within the reach of poor communities are enormous, says the scientist. Literacy rates improve hugely, fishermen are able to mend their nets, women to weave clothing. During an early field trial, funded by the British government, in Ghana, Silver met a man called Henry Adjei-Mensah, whose sight had deteriorated with age, as all human sight does, and who had been forced to retire as a tailor because he could no longer see to thread the needle of his sewing machine. "So he retires. He was about 35. He could have worked for at least another 20 years. We put these specs on him, and he smiled, and threaded his needle, and sped up with this sewing machine. He can work now. He can see."
So far 30,000 of Silver's specs have been distributed, but more are on the way; his eventual target is 100 million pairs.
via the guardian
Comments
This is incredible! We need more people who are willing to challenge the norm and create newer, better ways of doing things. Progress should help everyone, not just a small majority who can afford it.
It's great to see this breakthrough, particularly for undeserved populations. I still plan on seeing my optometrist regularly, though, for the other aspects of his care (glaucoma screening, cataract screening, etc.)
awesome,
too bad that not so many people actually read these days
I lived through Katrina, met many people who had lost their glasses, like myself. If the Red Cross had these available as a temporary solution to the problem, I haven't the words to express the God send this would have been.
Bravo Josh Silver, there should be more people in the world like you. You could have marketed this product to the financially capable population, but you took the route of the humanitarian. Can you imagine the world full of people like Josh Silver???
How wonderful someone took the time to call upon simpler ways to bring about an opportunity for everyone with vision impairments to possess eye wear. Hopefully this is just the beginning!
I'm assuming mermaldad meant "UNDERserved" and not "undeserved". Funny the difference a letter makes, ha.
Joshua Silver is a capitalist! ...and he deserves every penny he gets. Affordable irrigation systems, vaccines, satellite phones, HIV/AIDS medication, and thousands of other innovations that benefit the third world have been brought about thanks to the free market.
Contrast this with the miserable failure of international government aid and loan programs, interventionist military schemes, protectionist trade policies, ad nauseum.
I wish more people could see the distinction. If you really want to save the world, find a way to make a nickel by saving a life, then find a billion-person market. Don't count on the political messiah de jour (you know who I'm talking about.)
They are cool. Being the cheap type, I might even get a set: http://www.adaptive-eyecare.com/
We need more projects like this one!! This is a perfect example of the potential that design has on solving real down to earth problems. Congratulation to Josh Silver, many people without resources will improve their living conditions and enjoy their sight because of him!!
That is... just amazing.
Stuff like this - it's what I want to do, it's what I'm trying to work toward... Hopefully one day I can pull it off myself.
beautiful
This is an old idea- it has limitations not appreciated by those untrained in optics and visual physiology. It is no substitute for the provision of proper eyecare, involving correct diagnosis and treatment. The challenge is to provide this in developing countries, not to carry on with technology fundamentally the same as in use 100 years ago in UK/US. Local people need training to provide their own care. WHO and other agencies are very aware of this issue, and much work is being done.
Absolutely incredible!!
This is total genius - such a fantastically simple idea - these glasses could be produced for almost nothing, and could help so many people it's unreal...
Well done man!!
I just hope the project gets the backing it deserves...
It is not like this will make optometrists obsolete. For one, I doubt this will work very well for astigmatisms...
Its about time someone thought of something like this xD
Hope these will be able to help some of those struggling countries.
In the post - (GRD) great republican depression era, this may be the best way for the starving American masses to avoid the horrendous sur-charge on glasses, placed their by greedy opticians and occulists, and see well at a price they can afford! The GRD will certainly soften up any high opinions they mistakenly have about themselves and their great value to mankind, and once the sense of conceited entitlement is crushed by the GRD, they will accept lesser, third world solutions, rather than die like flies on the rotten fruits of there once powerful and enviable 'Middle Class' position. This man's method must be made clear and copyable before it is too late, and the uber-rich entangle it with complicated patent law and screw the common man again!
Next to medical applications, think of concentrated solar energy systems... This could reduce costs on those things considerably.
where can I buy a pair?
With the simple we solve the complex. All the needs of humanity can be met with simplicity and the inventive will. We in the US "came up with" THREE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS for the Failed financial industry. The payoff for their incompetence. NO! Their criminality. YES!
We [the US}did this in a matter of days. The will of the leadership in Congress was ALL that was needed to accomplish this. What is lacking in providing solutions is the will of the "Powers that be" nothing more. If it is in our interest there are no boundaries.......
Could work for lots of other lens-using devices: Binoculars, telescopes, magnifying glasses. Great insight.
However, people have to make sure they judge the right prescription for themselves, or else they will get headaches from subtle eye strain!
That's right Nick...not astigmatism, nor, I suspect, short sighted people...well over a half of the people who wear specs in the western world!
I have better than 20-20 vision but I have an astigmatism, so I need to wear reading glasses with a prism adjustment. This wouldn't help me. I don't know what percentage of people with glasses are in my boat, but it must be significant.
Brilliant example of the benefits of social capitalism. I hope this project goes well for Josh.
This should change the world of many who cannot afford to go to the high dollar optometrists. Good for this gentleman who came up with it. We need free thinkers even more in this world of greed and worship of the almighty Dollar, Pound, Euro or Yen.
Oh come on, he's not cracking down on all optometrists alive.. I mean it's not like he wants to see them go without a job. It's for underdeveloped countries..
and so what if the idea is a hundred years old? If more people did this, took old ideas/or came up with brand new solutions and adjusted them to help those in need, we'd have a lot less... people in need... hrm. thats right.
Sounds to me like Phil is an optometrist. Yeah, it might not be ideal, but when you don't have any money or a job, these glasses could literally be a life saver.
Optimal solutions are those which solve problems to the right extent, at right price and are available conveniently.
I am also aware of a few eye exercises which has gotten the eyes back in shape. Not well known because of the powerful cartel of industry.
what do we do next to get the products to the people?
Where can we find them?
Impressive.
Fabulous conceptualization. Great service to the underpriviliged HUMANITY!
An inspiring read. It is good to know there are people out there that are still trying to do good for the masses. It is a shame that so many of these folks continue to fly under the radar and don't receive the accolades they so richly deserve. Hoorah, Josh Silver!
A brilliant idea with an inspirational goal.
good job well done
@ Murray Rothbard
"Joshua Silver is a capitalist! ...and he deserves every penny he gets. Affordable irrigation systems, vaccines, satellite phones, HIV/AIDS medication, and thousands of other innovations that benefit the third world have been brought about thanks to the free market."
Read the full article. Silver is not making any profit on the glasses. Try to calm your austrian-economic-beating heart.
These are fantastic! There are many inventions like this appearing now...I'm surprised to see some people knocking them as they offer affordable solutions to many of life's problems.
This is wonderful!
This is the sort of person who should get a Knighthood.
If this is not doing something for the good of mankind then I don't know what is. Also as Nick says it won't make optometrists obsolete either. Well done Mr Silver
This would work for the destitute anywhere who can't afford to go to an optometrist. It won't diagnose disease in the eyes or anything like that, but it would allow people to read, which is without a doubt a beautiful thing. Educate!
Wow. I Stumbled Upon this and I actually had the exact same theory. I realized that every time I had not worn my glasses, but wore goggles in the pool or lake, I would be able to see perfectly, (except for the distortion around the edges). I have been thinking about it in the back of my mind, and here it is. My idea of "water lenses" being implemented on over 50k pairs of glasses. Amazing!
This is an amazing invention and hopefully will help as many people as Josh Silver envisions!
Magnificent, "glimpse of the obvious", utter most respect to this man for his accomplishment and for his goal of 100 million.
Sometimes you don't have to think hard, you simply have to think right (logic).
This is great. How long do you think it will take to get to the poor here in the US? Any bets that the FDA will keep them out of the country at the behest of the big optical companies? I'll bet the US poor are the last to get them.
Here finally is a person worthy of recognition for helping the world. Not the celebrities with ever increasing numbers of adopted children, not some politico for saying a speech.
This person deserves a the funding and support to continue developing such great ideas.
its amazing !!! where can i get a pair???
Good job Josh. I'd like a pair myself. Can the frame design be made a la Palin?
Well done Josh! As well as a truly useful invention you touch the hearts of all the people who feel the same way as you do. Giving is a wonderfully rewarding experience. I used to be a sales executive with a large American outfit and then went into working with drug users and then into affordable plumbing. Thats just to give you a rough idea of my versatility, theres much more! I would like to be involved with your project, just reading about it set my imagination on fire! Get back to me xx
Will they freeze in a Minnesota blizzard?
That is so amazingly innovative, simple yet effective.
I assume there is no problem with getting air bubbles into the lenses. That would be really annoying...
According to the website posted by Murray they "may be used to correct the vision of over 90% of people requiring correction." While experts may be needed for other eye-care problems, I'd like to know specifically what dangers these pose, if they really do.
seems like they would be heavy. and what about changes in temperature and pressure; would they break?
Around 12 hours ago I was watching a Disney animation called Tinkerbell, 3D animation it was, and because the characters are small, because they're, like, fairies, there's this geeky one that has glasses with drops of water for lenses. In one scene the lenses pop revealing his tiny little eyes, and shortly thereafter he gaily re-applies his water drops.
Top marks go to this guy. Josh is symbolic of a new breed in Britain.
i remember reading about this same idea on 'muy interesante' (something like the spanish 'popular science') about ten years ago. if there hasn't been that much development in ten years, maybe it isn't as simple and easy as it looks.
This looks absolutely fantastic, assuming you don't ever damage the frame you could potentially keep a pair of glasses for as long as you like because if your eyes ever changed, you could just adjust it directly and not have to get the lenses replaces - would probably be really good for kids with glasses as they're prescriptions are always changing
wow, these are absolutely awesome, i want a pair
:o)
Yet another amazing British invention. Hats off to you, its always great when a new invention comes along not to make money but to help people, I hope this receives the correct funding so that it can be brought to the third world.
Fantastic idea, the third world needs more ideas like this, as population grows the old solutions just won't work anymore. This shows how adaptable and creative we need to be to meet tomorrow, today.
I hope that these things finally take off, I remember reading about them nearly 10 years ago. Considering that they haven't taken off yet, I won't hold my breath.
Hmm.. in essence you can use the same concept in optical devices like cameras, etc by attaching the syringe within the body of the device and the user just adjusts the amount of liquid within the lens to change the focal length. I would like to see such a camera.
@ remowill
"This is great. How long do you think it will take to get to the poor here in the US? Any bets that the FDA will keep them out of the country at the behest of the big optical companies? I'll bet the US poor are the last to get them."
the problem with this kind of thinking is that the reasoning behind FDA and such are to protect the consumer - currently in the eyeglass industry there are pretty strict rules on how accurately your lenses reflect your prescription - if memory serves if the lenses are more than .125 diopters off then the lenses should be remade. however these glasses would probably fall through the cracks of those rules due to some wonderful back doors into the eyeglass business - basically the same one that lets people sell reading glasses over the counter - by claiming to be "magnifying glasses" as opposed to prescription glasses. these would pretty much be about as useful as readers - better than nothing , but not terribly great. neat idea though - i hope it helps lots of older folks who are dealing with presbyopia.
Wow i was wondering if someone would come up with this idea. I thought it up a few years ago as a freshman in high school with out doing any research on it. I knew water has similar properties to glass and would be able to be used for glasses. Wish i could be the one getting rich off this idea.
yeah he stole that from Benjamin Franklin.
Wow, amazing how people find problems in such a simple and beautiful concept. Sure, it won't work for everyone (astigmatism, shoort sighted, whatever), but even if only half of the glasses-needing people in poor countries benefit from this, it's still a beautiful idea.
Looking for the downside of things seems to be a cultural disease. Wish someone found an elegant solution to *that*.