The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) celebrated UNICEF World Children’s Day by announcing the winners of ‘Glasses of the Future’, a global competition that invited children across the world to design the next generation of glasses.
Lama Albadeen, 8, from Saudi Arabia, was selected as the winner of the global competition with her innovative design: Vision Friend. Her design is made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo and recycled plastic, equipped with an alarm, safety tracker, and a multifunctional charging case. “I wanted to include a camera and sensors to detect obstacles – such as doors, stairs, and slippery areas – alerting users with sounds and vibrations in Vision Friend to make life easier for people who are blind or have low vision to help them stay safe wherever they go,” said Lama, reflecting on her inspiration behind her glasses design.
Five-year-old Grace Retta from Kenya also takes home the prize in the younger category by capturing hearts with her prize-winning invention, A Friend for My Eyes. Her glasses were designed to captivate children, with bright colours, customisable lenses, and glow-in-the-dark features that make them playful and stylish. The five-year-old visionary said, “I chose bright colours so every child feels represented. I wanted to make sure the glasses are fun to wear, so kids aren’t afraid to put them on and show them off! After seeing what Siri can do, I wanted A Friend for My Eyes to have the same thing – sing lullabies, tell stories, and have conversations with me.
The competition to design the ‘Glasses of the Future’ received just under 1000 entries from children in 19 countries, including Brazil, India, Mexico, the US and the UK. The winners receive a cash prize for their school and see their design brought to life in 3D courtesy of the global eyewear giant Safilo.
The entries were evaluated by a global judging panel including Caroline Casey, businesswoman, activist for disability inclusion and IAPB President as well as Jo Frost, global parenting expert and TV personality, and Dr Prabha Choksey, Optometrist, Founder and Trustee of the Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation, among others.
"I was truly impressed by the creativity of these young geniuses and their innovations; each design brought a wide smile of Joy. We can all agree that eye health is often overlooked in our busy daily lives raising children despite it being crucial for a child’s development and future, however with Lama’s inclusivity & practicality and Grace’s vibrant and inspiring colours, these designs not only showcase that children should be included in the global conversation regarding eye health but to also empower glasses wearers around the world,” said Jo Frost.
The ‘Glasses of the Future’ competition encouraged parents and children globally to consider the importance of eye health and the impact that a pair of glasses can have on children’s lives. Research released by IAPB and the Seva Foundation on World Sight Day in October revealed that a child with poor vision learns approximately half as much as a child with good or corrected vision. Early interventions, including eye tests and access to glasses to correct a child’s vision in school, can boost their lifetime earnings by up to 78%.
