8 year old Saudi Girl’s Innovative Design Wins Global ‘Glasses of the Future’ Competition

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

In a remarkable display of ingenuity and compassion, Lama Albadeen, an 8-year-old from Saudi Arabia, emerged as the winner of the global ‘Glasses of the Future’ competition, held by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with UNICEF. This initiative celebrated World Children’s Day by inviting children worldwide to design groundbreaking glasses that redefine accessibility and style.

Lama’s creation, Vision Friend, is a masterpiece in functionality and sustainability. Crafted from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and recycled plastic, the glasses incorporate advanced features like an alarm, safety tracker, and multifunctional charging case. Most impressively, they include sensors and a camera to detect obstacles like stairs, doors, and slippery areas, providing audio and vibration alerts for the visually impaired.

“I wanted to create something that makes life easier and safer for people who are blind or have low vision,” Lama explained.

The younger age category also crowned a winner, Grace Retta, 5, from Kenya. Grace’s playful yet innovative design, A Friend for My Eyes, features vibrant colors, customizable lenses, and glow-in-the-dark capabilities to make glasses appealing for children. The glasses also include an AI assistant for storytelling and lullabies.

The competition, which attracted nearly 1,000 entries from 19 countries, aimed to spotlight the importance of eye health in children. Winners were awarded a cash prize for their schools and saw their designs brought to life in 3D by leading eyewear company Safilo.

The judging panel, including IAPB President Caroline Casey, optometrist Dr. Prabha Choksey, and parenting expert Jo Frost, praised the creativity and impact of the designs. Jo Frost remarked, “Lama’s inclusivity and Grace’s vibrancy highlight the potential of children’s ideas in shaping a better future for eye health.”

This competition underscores the critical role of glasses in addressing vision challenges. Research by IAPB and the Seva Foundation indicates that a child with poor vision learns half as much as peers with good vision and that early intervention can boost lifetime earnings by up to 78%.

As the world celebrates World Children’s Day, initiatives like these inspire collective action to ensure every child has access to essential eye care, enabling them to thrive.