I have terrible vision. I think that’s why SOLO Eyewear’s mission really speaks to me. SOLO Eyewear is a sunglass brand whose mission is to help restore the vision of people in need. Growing up in the US, I have always had pretty good access to vision care. And I needed it, since I’ve been wearing glasses since I was six years old. Yes, I was definitely called “Four Eyes” when I was kid. Yes, that sucked. But hey, it’s better than the alternative — not being able to see clearly! I am keenly aware of how difficult it is to complete even the simplest tasks without my glasses or contact lenses. Driving and cooking would be pretty much impossible.
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the world’s blindness is avoidable. 50% of the world’s blind suffer from cataracts, which is a very treatable disease. SOLO donates 10% of their profits to initiatives that support the restoration of vision to people in need. Specifically, they fund eye exams, eyeglasses, and surgeries that remove cataracts. They partner with Aravind Eye Care Systems and Restoring Vision and have helped 13,000+ people in 32 countries around the world.
Must. Have. Sunglasses.
Growing up in Southern California, there are two must-have accessories: flip-flops and sunglasses. Having owned many pairs of sunglasses, I can be pretty picky. They must fit well, not slide down my nose, not be too loose or too tight. and of course, they have to look good! I had been eyeing (no pun intended) the SOLO Fiji’s for awhile. I ordered them last week and now I feel a bit incomplete if I’m not wearing them.
First, they are really lightweight. I used to associate a heavier weight with “higher quality”, but heavier glasses usually slide down my face easily and often. I barely notice that I’m wearing these SOLO sunglasses — which is a good thing! Second, the arms are spring-loaded so they expand only as much as they need to. The result? Sunglasses that fit perfectly without being too tight or too loose. Lastly, they’re made of repurposed bamboo or recycled plastic. I love a good upcycled/recycled product!
I love that SOLO Eyewear ties its products to its mission of restoring vision to people in need. One of my favorite things about finding these companies is learning more about the causes they support. I don’t often think about how devastating it can be to be blind, especially in a developing country. The fact that many forms of blindness are treatable can be life-changing. And thanks to SOLO Eyewear, thousands of lives (and hopefully many more) have been changed.
For more eyewear brands that give back, check out Shop Social Good’s Eyewear Directory! For more brands that support health-related causes, check out Shop Social Good’s Health Directory!