James Chen, the visionary championing global eye care accessibility

As the founder of Clearly, a global campaign to bring affordable eye care to all, Chen’s work is changing millions of lives. His unique perspective, shaped by a global upbringing across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States, drives his belief that philanthropy and innovation can solve complex global issues. Through Clearly, Chen has demonstrated how even the simplest invention, eyeglasses, can transform economies, health, and education. 

A venture philanthropist's approach

Chen’s philosophy on philanthropy is shaped by his entrepreneurial background. As the founder of his family office, Legacy Advisors Ltd, and the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, Chen believes that philanthropists must act as catalysts for change, taking on risks that governments and traditional charities often cannot afford. He believes that true philanthropy requires the use of risk-bearing capital, specialised knowledge, and persistence.

His willingness to take risks has led to real change. For example, his work with Vision for a Nation trained 2,700 nurses to deliver vision screenings in Rwanda, providing care to over 2.5 million people. Chen’s approach to philanthropy is not just about writing cheques; it is about creating lasting, systemic change by combining research, innovation, and investment.

Addressing a global health crisis

Globally, over 2.5 billion people suffer from uncorrected poor vision, and many of these individuals live in developing nations. The lack of access to basic eye care contributes to a range of socioeconomic issues, from hampered productivity to disrupted education. The global economic cost of this vision crisis is staggering—estimated at $3 trillion annually. 

Chen's mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that everyone who needs glasses can access them. This goal underpins Clearly, which he founded in 2016 to push global action on vision correction. Chen often emphasises that a clear vision empowers and transforms lives in all aspects, emphasising its impact on health, education, and economic opportunities.

A proven impact 

Chen’s work is supported by robust research that underscores the economic impact of improved vision. One of Clearly’s most significant studies took place in Assam, India, where tea workers over the age of 40 received reading glasses. The results were dramatic: productivity increased by an average of 22%, and for workers aged over 50, it soared to 31%. These findings revealed that improving vision could yield substantial economic benefits, particularly in labour-intensive industries.

If applied across India’s agricultural sector, these improvements could generate an additional $19 billion in productivity gains. The study not only demonstrated the economic benefits of basic vision correction but also underscored the personal impact. Nearly 90% of the participants opted to continue using their glasses, recognising the tangible benefits to their daily work.

Merging innovation with policy change

James Chen’s Clearly campaign merges technological innovation with high-level policy advocacy. The campaign is built on three pillars: raising public awareness, promoting innovations in vision correction, and advocating for policy changes that can address global vision challenges at scale. 

In 2021, Clearly merged with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which further strengthened the global advocacy efforts. Together, they continue to push for sustainable solutions and policy changes, such as urging the United Nations to adopt a resolution on eye care.

Through partnerships with governments and health organisations, Clearly has already helped Rwanda achieve universal access to eye care, and is now working to replicate this success in Ghana.

The importance of collaboration

In 2024, James Chen continues to champion cross-sector collaboration to solve the global vision problem. By partnering with governments, health organisations, and innovators, Clearly has positioned itself as a leader in the vision care movement.Chen highlights the importance of inspiring creativity and fostering innovative solutions, stressing the need for collective effort to achieve universal eye care.

Chen’s work also involves mobilising a global community of changemakers. Clearly has launched competitions for entrepreneurs, scientists, and technologists to develop cutting-edge solutions to eye care issues, offering $250,000 in seed funding to the most promising innovations.

Bold vision for the 21st century

Chen’s vision for the future is bold: “If we can put a human on Mars, then surely we can make sure everyone on Earth can see it,” he says, encapsulating his belief in the power of technology to address fundamental human needs.

With ongoing efforts in countries like Ghana and India, Chen is determined to push global leaders to prioritise vision care as an essential component of public health. By fostering innovation and championing policy changes, James Chen is making clear vision accessible to millions who need it most.

In addition to his work in eye care, Chen is deeply committed to early childhood literacy and education through the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation. This foundation has spearheaded numerous initiatives in library development and literacy promotion in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Through his multi-faceted philanthropic efforts, James Chen exemplifies how focused, well-researched interventions can lead to wide-scale social change. His work with Clearly serves as a powerful model for how private citizens can tackle complex global issues, one solution at a time.