In the United States, around 46.5 million households are not covered by a vision plan and do not have employer access to vision insurance. A comprehensive eye exam is directly linked to a person's health. Serious conditions and diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure are detectable during an eye exam. And, without glasses, children can struggle to succeed in school, and adults might have a harder time filling out job applications, performing in the workplace, and accessing much needed social services. In a natural disaster situation, recovery is made that much more difficult when you cannot see clearly to fill out forms, navigate your way to shelter, or seek help. It all boils down to the fact that access to vision care is essential to everyone's life, no matter what your circumstance may be.
Earlier this year, VSP Global celebrated helping one million people in need to see since the inception of the company's Eyes of Hope charitable programs. Through no-cost eye exams and glasses, replacing eyewear following disasters, eyewear donations, and many more charitable contributions, VSP is helping people see what healthy eyes can make possible. And, after celebrating that major milestone, VSP committed to reaching a million more people by 2020.
As a way to help reach the Million More milestone, VSP and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) partnered to increase access to eye care in 10 cities across the country. The partnership between USCM and VSP Global includes mobile eye care clinics where VSP provides no-cost eye exams and glasses for qualifying adults and children in need. Working with each city to create a unique event allows the outreach to be tailored to the specific needs of each city along the tour. VSP is also exploring opportunities in each city to increase long-term access to eye care and eyewear.
"A partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors provides an opportunity for delivering education and access to eye care and eyewear where they're needed most," said VSP Global President and CEO Jim McGrann. "VSP is resolute in its desire to provide affordable, accessible, high-quality eye care to the world, and this multi-city campaign is a terrific start toward achieving our broader goal of providing access to vision care for 1 million people by 2020."
During each event, 1,200 people on average are provided with access to care. After kicking off in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 15, this year's outreach just wrapped up. Our last stop was San Francisco, California, on October 26-29.
As of October 2016, VSP Global has invested $178 million in no-cost eye care and eyewear for more than one million people in need, through programs that include mobile eye care clinics, gift certificates, and eyewear donations. For more information about the Eyes of Hope: a Million More initiative, visit www.vspglobal.com/millionmore.
