Conclusion

The current procurement volume in LMICs is still far below the level of needs. The lack of access is often due to low public awareness, the high cost of spectacles and insufficient optometric services. The private sector dominates the market but focuses more on the high-income segments in LMICs, while governments, NGOs, social enterprises and corporate foundations are filling the demand gap.

Government coverage remains uneven and tied to economic development. In more developed economies, governments are increasing spectacles advocacy and provision, which boosts overall demand. However, lower-income countries governments are still highly dependent on NGOs to address the market gap, and unmet need remains high. NGO procurement has seen an increasing trend in recent years, with locally available, low-price, high-quality and diverse designs being key purchasing criteria across NGOs.

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