Shamir Launches “Spare Glasses” Campaign Benefiting EinDollarBrille

Erlangen, April 2026 – Starting in June 2026, lens manufacturer Shamir is supporting EinDollarBrille with a “spare glasses” campaign across Germany and Austria. For every second pair of glasses sold, Shamir will donate €1 to EinDollarBrille. Participating opticians and customers can further increase the impact through additional contributions. The donations help ensure that people in low-income countries have access to free eye exams and affordable eyeglasses – through vision screenings, training local professionals (GVTs), and producing robust glasses locally.

Through this initiative, Shamir supports EinDollarBrille’s work so more people can gain access to basic vision care — including free eye exams, training local professionals, and producing durable eyeglasses on site.

How the Campaign Works

The concept is very simple and effective:

1. Shamir Donates €1: For every second pair of glasses sold, €1 goes to EinDollarBrille.
2. Opticians Can Match Donations: Participating opticians and eye care professionals can voluntarily increase the donation amount or launch their own initiatives — for example, donating a set amount for every eye exam conducted.
3. Customers Can Donate: Customers can access a landing page via QR code and make an optional additional donation.
   
    

“With this campaign, together with our partner opticians, we want to show how much impact a small gesture can have,” says Thomas Leppert, Head of Marketing & Sales at Shamir Optic GmbH. “A second pair of glasses not only improves our customers’ vision — it can also open new possibilities for people in low-income countries.”

A Simple Idea. A Big Impact.

Funds raised go directly to EinDollarBrille’s work in currently eleven program countries, including Malawi, India, Bolivia, Kenya, and Nepal. Donations support, for example:

• Free eye exams for children who have little to no access to medical care.
• Training local professionals (GVTs) who provide vision screenings, dispense eyeglasses, and refer people for further care when needed.
• Taking eye care where the road ends — through mobile vision camps in rural areas offering free eye exams.
• Helping people regain their sight through cataract surgery.

“A pair of glasses can change a person’s life in just minutes — especially in places where vision care barely exists,” says Martin Aufmuth, founder of EinDollarBrille. “That Shamir and participating opticians are committed to better vision worldwide makes this campaign so valuable. A second pair of glasses here creates opportunities elsewhere.”

A Strong Partner for Global Vision Care

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 950 million people worldwide live with vision impairment that can be corrected with a simple pair of glasses, yet lack access to eye care services or cannot afford the eyeglasses they need. The impact is severe: children struggle to learn and adults cannot secure their income — a cycle that deepens poverty. For more than ten years, EinDollarBrille has been working to close this gap by training local professionals, producing robust glasses on-site, and reaching even remote regions with mobile teams.

Press Contact:  

Vanessa Cognard

Head of Communications, EinDollarBrille e.V.

presse@eindollarbrille.de
www.linkedin.com/company/ein-dollar-brille
+49 9131 913 9431
 

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About EinDollarBrille e.V.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 950 million people worldwide live with uncorrected refractive errors but lack access to affordable eyeglasses. EinDollarBrille addresses this gap by providing high-quality, durable, and affordable glasses that can be produced locally. Founded in 2012 by Martin Aufmuth, the organization is recognized as a non-profit. The glasses are manufactured locally, with material costs of approximately one US dollar. The retail price corresponds to two to three days’ wages.Training for local producers and the establishment of programs are financed through donations. The model is designed to be sustainable: revenues from sales contribute to covering local salaries and materials.The long-term goal is to establish sustainable access to basic eye care services in underserved regions.

About Shamir

Shamir, a member of the EssilorLuxottica Group, is a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality eyeglass lenses and innovative optical solutions. For more than 50 years, Shamir has been developing groundbreaking technologies designed to enhance performance—at work, on the road, during sports, and in other everyday activities. As a long-standing