EyeMed Vision Care (EyeMed), the fastest growing vision benefits company in the United States, announced today the expansion of its charitable programming as presenting sponsor of OneSight’s 2014 Vision Van Program. The partnership builds on EyeMed’s longtime support of OneSight.
In addition to its global and domestic vision clinics and sustainable initiatives, OneSight launched its Vision Van program 17 years ago to expand access to quality vision care in remote locations throughout the U.S. Powered by EyeMed, the 2014 Vision Van program will provide free vision care and eyewear to thousands of students across 15 States including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin.
During Vision Van Clinics, students receive a comprehensive eye exam onboard EyeLeen, OneSight’s state-of-the-art mobile vision center equipped with two exam lanes staffed by doctors, opticians and lab technicians volunteering from LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical or other local providers. Local EyeMed associates, clients and partners also volunteer to support clinic operations. The majority of prescriptions are able to be manufactured onboard EyeLeen, ensuring students immediately receive the quality glasses they need and deserve to see and learn their best.
“We believe all people deserve access to quality vision care to see life to the fullest – those who have our fantastic vision benefits and those who don’t. That’s why our work with OneSight is so important to who we are and what we stand for,” said Lukas Ruecker, President of EyeMed Vision Care. “EyeMed supported the creation of OneSight’s EyeLeen Vision Van in 2011 and together we’ve already traveled 40,000 miles to serve 7,600 students in 21 States. We’re eager to expand our support and hit the road in 2014 to help thousands more students in need.”
According to the American Optometric Association, 80 percent of what children learn is visually processed. Yet one out of four students in the U.S. has an undiagnosed vision problem. “We’re facing a vision care crisis and its hurting our kids,” said Dr. Jason Singh, O.D., OneSight Executive Director. “In fact, the Centers for Disease Control just released a report stating vision disability is the single most prevalent disabling condition among children in the United States. The good news is solutions exist and, thanks to EyeMed’s generous financial and hands-on volunteer support, OneSight will be able to close the vision care gap for thousands more students in 2014 so they can see and learn better in school.”