New glasses to keep up with the numbers

For 16 years, 55-year-old Nadiia has worked as an accountant at a Ukrainian preschool, carefully managing budgets, salaries, and reports that keep the institution running. Her work depends on precise close-up vision at the computer and on paper, yet overtime eye strain and fatigue began to slow her down and make each working day harder. Through the “Better Vision – Better Life” initiative, supported by RestoringVision and the International Charitable Foundation “Contribution to Medicine Development,” she received new eyeglasses free of charge and immediately felt the difference in comfort and productivity. Her story shows how something as simple as a pair of glasses can help dedicated professionals continue supporting children and their communities, even during war.

New glasses to keep up with the numbers

Before Nadiia received help, her biggest challenge was not a lack of expertise, but a gradual loss of clear near vision. Long days spent checking figures, reading small prints on invoices, and preparing reports became increasingly difficult. She found herself needing more time to complete routine tasks and felt her eyes burning and watering by the end of the day. What used to be satisfying, concentrated work turned into a daily struggle to keep up with the numbers.

Nadiia, 55, has been working as an accountant at a preschool in Ukraine for 16 years. An accountant in an early childhood institution carries many responsibilities: managing the budget, processing payments and financial obligations, calculating and paying staff salaries, tracking and writing off material assets, preparing financial reports, and issuing necessary certificates for employees. She originally trained as an environmental engineer, but when there was little demand for this profession, she took an opportunity to assist an accountant and later completed a second degree in accounting and auditing. When the full-scale war began, Nadiia fled with her family to Poland for safety. After some time in displacement, they decided to return home, and she resumed her work at the preschool, determined to bring as much normality as possible to the children and staff.

Day after day, Nadiia’s work requires focused vision at close range – on the computer screen, in notebooks, and on stacks of paper documents. Over time, this constant strain made it harder for her to work quickly and without pain. Reading small numbers became tiring, and she needed more breaks to rest her eyes. Through the “Better Vision – Better Life” initiative, supported by RestoringVision and the International Charitable Foundation “Contribution to Medicine Development,” Nadiia was able to receive a new pair of eyeglasses free of charge as part of a vision support campaign for adults affected by the war.

The effect was immediate. With her new glasses, Nadiia could once again read documents clearly, enter data without squinting, and finish her daily tasks with less fatigue. She noticed that she could concentrate longer and felt more confident in the accuracy and speed of her work. “New glasses are an opportunity to see the world clearly and comfortably – THANK YOU!” she says. For her, clear vision is not just about comfort; it is about continuing to do the job she loves and contributing to the stability of the preschool during uncertain times.

Stories like Nadiia’s show how improved vision can protect livelihoods and maintain essential services for children and families, even in the middle of war. By restoring clear sight to people like her, the “Better Vision – Better Life” initiative helps keep communities functioning and gives individuals renewed strength for everyday life.

This story is part of the “Better Vision – Better Life” program – more on Facebook: [Facebook link to the project].