Presbyopia improvement programme “Qué Bien Te Veo Perú” (How Well I See You, Peru)
Presbyopia is the difficulty in seeing close up that naturally occurs after the age of 40. It affects everyday activities such as reading, sewing or using a mobile phone and, when left uncorrected, reduces independence, productivity and self-esteem, especially in older people. Worldwide, it is estimated to affect some 826 million people and is the leading cause of reversible visual impairment, with the greatest impact on vulnerable populations.
In Peru, eye care services are limited and concentrated in cities, leaving many people in rural areas and living in poverty without access to reading glasses or timely diagnosis. This programme is carried out in partnership with the NGO Restoring Vision.
Near vision measurement
Delivery of lenses for near vision
MSH Peru in partnership with Pension 65
Since 2018, MSH Peru has had an inter-institutional cooperation agreement with the National Solidarity Assistance Programme Pension 65, run by the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, to improve the near vision of its users over the age of 65 who are living in extreme poverty in the country.
Through campaigns in the 25 Territorial Units, workshops are held on:
Near vision measurement
Selecting the appropriate lens
Delivery of reading glasses and, in some cases, sunglasses with UV protection
Guidance on eye health care
This effort is supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which contributes resources to cover operating costs (customs clearance, storage, transport, training, supervision, and quality control of lens measurement and delivery).
Results and impact on users of Pension 65
426 792
Reading glasses were distributed to users of the National Solidarity Assistance Programme Pension 65 between 2022 and 2025.
A quasi-experimental case-control study was conducted with a total of 2,448 participants in three regions, eight provinces, and seventeen districts of Piura, Amazonas, and Ayacucho, which showed the following results after receiving reading glasses:
25% of users reported improvement in their eye discomfort.
39% reported improvements in their independence (they can do more activities by themselves).
36% reported improvements in their productivity, as they were able to resume work and income-generating activities.
Articulation that changes lives
Testimonials from beneficiaries
Recognition: Award for Good Practices in Public Management
In 2024, the initiative developed in conjunction with the Pension 65 Programme: ‘Changing lives by improving the near vision of Pension 65 users. A life-changing partnership’, received certification from the Good Practices in Public Management Award in the Public-Private Partnership category, organised by Ciudadanos al Día, the University of the Pacific and partners from the private sector and the media.
This recognition highlights the value of collaboration between the State, a civil society organisation such as MSH Peru, and private partners in reducing preventable visual impairment among older people living in extreme poverty.
Expansion to other social programmes
CONTIGO Program
- Agreement signed in April 2025
- Measurement and delivery of 40,000 reading glasses
- Territorial Units of Lima and La Libertad
PAÍS Program
- Agreement signed in May 2025
- Measurement and delivery of 40,000 reading glasses
- 24 regions of the country
Food Supplementation Programme (PCA)
- Agreement signed in August 2025
- Measurement and delivery of 20,000 reading glasses
- Metropolitan Lima and Callao
Project graphic materials
