Transitions Optical, Inc., in partnership with VSP Vision Care, spent four days (Nov. 6-9) in the San Francisco area with the mobile eyecare clinic “Eyenstein” to provide underserved individuals at local community organizations with free eye exams and, if needed, prescription eyeglasses. In total, 35 vision screenings and more than 50 eye exams were conducted on-site at two community organizations: Delancey Street Foundation and The Life Learning Academy. Both organizations are committed to assisting community members, ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens, who have struggled with hardships including homelessness and substance abuse, and providing them with the necessary skills and education to work to better their lives.
Prequalified individuals received a free, comprehensive eye exam by a local VSP doctor. If prescription eyeglasses were needed, they could choose from the eyeglass frame selection aboard Eyenstein, which were then fitted with Transitions adaptive lenses, to help enhance their vision immediately and protect it for the long-term.
“It is estimated that approximately 12 million Americans have an undetected vision problem,” says Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical. “Transitions Optical, along with our partner VSP, hopes to reduce this statistic particularly among children and young adults as reading and learning are so critical to success in and out of the classroom, by making proper eyecare and eyewear a reality for those in-need, and providing these individuals with one of the most important tools–healthy, enhanced vision–to help them achieve their goals and work toward a brighter future.”
Since the inception of Eyenstein in 2010, more than 5,500 people nationwide have received comprehensive eye exams onboard the clinic and approximately 4,200 received free eyeglasses with Transitions lenses.
Eyenstein in 2012
Prior to visiting the San Francisco area, Eyenstein traveled across the country, making stops in cities including Chicago, Ill., and Houston, Texas, providing thousands of elementary school students in-need with free eye exams and eyeglasses, allowing them to see and perform their best both in and out of the classroom. Eyenstein will conclude its 2012 tour through December, and is currently planning to visit even more underserved communities, schools and organizations next year. As part of its nationwide outreach, Transitions Optical is also encouraging schools and families to “promise” to take care of their eyes by getting regular, comprehensive eye exams and wearing proper eyewear. Eyecare professionals can help raise awareness of the importance of vision to learning by encouraging patients and teachers and staff at schools in their area to make the “Eye Promise” by visiting eyedidntknowthat.com.
