TED TALK review

Reducing the number of blind people in the world.  

I have chosen this video as Andrew Bastawrous is improving the lives of many people around the world. I also like this video as it demonstrates a way in which smart phone technology can be used to save someone's life. It is important to realise here, that it is taking smart phones away from being a simple way of communicating to a vital tool in health care. 

39 Million people in the world are blind, and Andrew Bastawrous has moved to Africa, and helped to reduce the number of people who are going blind. 



I really enjoyed watching this video and it showed a way in which smart phone technology can really help people in the world. While researching, Bastawrous noticed that a huge proportion of the citizens living in Africa were blind, therefore, he moved out to Africa to try help as many people as possible. 

Setting up technological equipment was very difficult, and with a lack of power Bastawrous thought that he had to find any easier way of helping people.

The biggest shock to me whilst watching this video was the fact 'More people in Kenya and in Sub Saharan Africa have access to a mobile phone than they do running water.' And as a result this is what encouraged Bastawrus to discover a new method of delivering eye care.

The phone application allowed a person of any age, and of any language the chance of an eye test, anywhere in the world. If bad eye vision is detected, a person is required to buy a 3D camera to fit over your phone. This allows you to view inside your eye.  

They then also reduced the problem of low electricity by providing solar panel back packs which charge the phone as you walk.

Now, a single person can be sent with a smart phone and help people with their eye care. Costing $500, this has been reduced considerably from when Bastawrus first arrived in Africa.

All thanks to Bastawrus, people around the world can access eye tests without even leaving their home.