I'm not saying you don't have a point, but the last time that I bought a pair of glasses, the whole affair—getting the prescription, and the frames, and the lenses—cost well over one day's salary for me. I'm sure that even for someone making just 75¢ a day, $1 for a pair of glasses would be considered a bargain if it means the difference in being able to see.

Several years ago my prescription glasses broke, so I replaced them with cheap non-prescription glasses for about five bucks. They weren't quite as good (I have astigmatism) but they were serviceable. Only recenlty did I get another pair of prescription glasses specifically for computer use. I spent several hundred doillars (even after insurance discounts) and they are not significantly better than the el cheapo ones I have been using. Yes, there is value in getting regular eye exams, but non-prescription cheap glasses work just fine for lots of people (and mine won't get filled with algae after a few weeks).

FWIW, algae shouldn't be a problem, because you don't have to use water; any clear fluid with a similar refractive index would work. Another article says they're actually using mineral oil.