(PRESS RELEASE)DALLAS, TX — People who need vision care but can’t access or afford it can now get free eye exams and glasses thanks to a partnership between Changing Life through Lenses and Total Vision.
Total Vision’s charitable initiatives began with its Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to provide free vision care to people in need. The Changing Life Through Lenses platform builds on that effort by removing the cost of the lenses and frames so doctors can serve more people in their communities. By working together through this new partnership, Total Vision practices can make a greater impact for people in need of critical vision care.
Total Vision is donating $50,000 to the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to support the launch of the program and to help kick-start philanthropic activity in all 59 of its California locations.
The goal of the partnership is to help eye doctors expand charitable services by removing the cost of glasses, one of the biggest barriers ODs face when being philanthropic. Changing Life through Lenses is the first-of-its-kind online resource platform where eye doctors and vision non-profits can receive free glasses, including lenses, lab services and frames for charitable patients thanks to EssilorLuxottica’s donation of in-kind products.
“Total Vision’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative was developed in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Our patients nominated friends, family and co-workers who were struggling financially to receive a free exam and glasses,” explains Beverly Bianes, OD, director of Charitable Outreach at Total Vision. “The program was very successful, and we believe that by partnering with Changing Life through Lenses, we can broaden our reach in the community.”
“Total Vision’s well-established, community-based optometric practices have deep ties to the population they serve,” says Neil Collier, Total Vision CEO. “Giving back is important to our doctors and is a way they show their gratitude for the community’s support as they built their practices.”
“Without charitable eye doctors, millions of people across the U.S. would be unable to obtain vision services,” says Becky Palm, vice president, executive director and general counsel, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation NA. “We are thrilled that Total Vision’s practices are participating in Changing Life through Lenses. With the support of ODs and optical retailers, our foundation is able to reach more consumers and bring life-changing vision care to underserved communities around the country.”