India Post and the non-profit organization VisionSpring conducted a pilot program between December 2025 and May 2026 to provide eye screenings in five post offices in Assam State, India. The initiative utilized the existing infrastructure of post offices to reach populations with limited access to vision care. According to VisionSpring, more than 5,000 people were screened during this period, with 80% of those receiving glasses being first-time wearers.
The program was developed in response to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that more than 800 million people globally have presbyopia, yet fewer than 25% in lower-income countries have access to corrective lenses. Under the pilot model, outside workers were hired and trained to operate kiosks within the post offices, offering free screenings and dispensing reading glasses to customers who had difficulty with close-up tasks like filling out postal forms.
Organizers noted that the partnership aimed to address geographical and financial barriers to eye care. While postal employees initially expressed concern regarding increased workloads, postmasters reported that the screenings increased foot traffic and the use of postal services. The WHO and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) are currently reviewing the results of the pilot to determine if post office networks can be used for broader health services globally. The current pilot in India is scheduled to conclude in September 2026.