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Eyecare industry support for practices & communities impacted by wildfires.
Jan. 29, 2025
As wildfires continue to impact California, eyecare companies and major associations are stepping up to offer support.
Here is what Review of Optometric Business (ROB) learned about industry outreach to aid affected practices and impacted communities.
CooperVision
CooperVision implemented a Patient Emergency Relief Program to assist eyecare professionals and their patients impacted by the Greater Los Angeles wildfires.
Practitioners can request up to two complimentary boxes of contact lenses for affected patients.
To process a request, Los Angeles-area practitioners can obtain the form through their CooperVision sales representative or by e-mailing: CVcares@coopervision.com.
“In the aftermath of these devastating fires, those affected already have so much to navigate—worrying about their contact lenses shouldn’t be one of them,” said Jerry Warner, President, CooperVision. “When practices receive calls from those who have lost everything, we are committed to helping them provide these patients access to this everyday necessity as they focus on rebuilding their lives.”
CooperVision donates annually to the Optometry Cares Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), a program of The AOA Foundation.
Alcon
In the wake of the fires in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, Alcon and Alcon Cares, the company’s foundation for in-kind donations, is pursuing several avenues to support those impacted by the devastation.
These efforts include supporting first responders and impacted individuals by donations to local non-profits of products, including artificial tears, lid wipes, saline solutions and allergy eye drops, while providing contact lenses and contact lens solution for patients who lost their lenses in the fires, reaffirming the company’s commitment to ensuring patients receive timely and uninterrupted access to care.
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To learn more, practitioners can visit Alcon Cares or contact their Alcon Sales representative.
Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb issued this statement regarding its efforts:
“Intense smoke and heat can cause dryness and discomfort to the eyes. Through the Bausch Foundation we’re in the process of donating eye drops and eye wash to support Los Angeles firefighters, residents and others affected by the devastating fires.”
EssilorLuxottica
(according to reporting from Vision Monday)
EssilorLuxottica is reaching out on several fronts to boost the relief effort. For its employees, the eyewear leader told VMAIL Weekend that it has activated its Give-a-Day program where employees can donate their paid time off (PTO) to a colleague who may have used up their PTO during the disaster. It also launched a fundraiser through Members Trust Federal Credit Union, where EssilorLuxottica will match funds contributed by employees to help their colleagues.
For the area in California impacted by the wildfires, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is leveraging its Changing Life Through Lenses (CLTL) and OneSight Voucher programs to support impacted community members in affected areas. Through the CLTL program, optometrists and nonprofits can access its network to request free replacement glasses for anyone in their local community who lost or damaged their eyewear due to the fire. In addition, all existing or new Changing Life Through Lenses accounts can request a free frame kit at engage@onesight.org or after registering at changinglifethroughlenses.org.
Additionally, EssilorLuxottica’s optical retail brands including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Target Optical, as well as EyeMed, will partner with the Foundation. This will allow its teams to offer a replacement pair of prescription glasses to patients and members who have lost or damaged their eyewear through the OneSight Voucher program, the company said.
For ODs, EssilorLuxottica Professional Solutions said it has activated its disaster relief program for frame and lens customers in impacted areas, which includes more flexible commercial terms, replacement lenses for those lost in the fires, and other support during this period.
Additionally, The Vision Source Foundation, a 501c3, will support optometrists and their family members who have been impacted by the fires. More information can be found HERE.
Vision Source
Vision Source emphasizes that it is deeply committed to supporting its members and communities affected by the devastating California fires. Through the Vision Source Foundation, rapid funding is being provided to assist both member and non-member optometrists and their families.
Local Vision Source doctor leaders are serving as coordinators, ensuring continuous communication with Vision Source leadership and a swift response to immediate needs. As practices begin to recover, Vision Source Member Support staff are stepping in to assist with patient care, allowing practice staff to focus on rebuilding their lives.
Additionally, the OneSight Champions for Sight program, in conjunction with Vision Source, stands ready to supply free eyewear for patients in need, and free pop-up clinics to help those in the community who may be suffering without their vision correction.
Vision Sources points out that these efforts underscore its “unwavering dedication to the well-being of its members, non-members and the broader community during these challenging times.”
VSP
(according to reporting from Vision Monday)
To support relief and recovery efforts in Southern California, VSP Vision is currently offering support for VSP network doctors who’ve been affected, which can be accessed by calling (800) 615-1883.
The company is also offering eyecare and/or replacement glasses or contact lenses for impacted VSP Vision Care members. To learn more and have benefits reinstated, if needed, individuals affected can call (800) 877-7195. Non-members can contact the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS, which is (800) 733-2767, for resources to replace lost or damaged eyewear.
VSP also activated its company matching program for employees who donate to non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross. To date, this program has generated nearly $12,000 to support Southern California disaster relief efforts.
VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinic event will take place in Los Angeles later this month. The company said it is prepared to deploy additional mobile clinics once the fires are contained and the recovery process begins.
In addition, VSP Vision donated 500 literacy kits to an affected school through the Reading is Fundamental program. Marchon Eyewear, Inc., a VSP Vision company, also donated 200 pairs of eyewear for those impacted.
In an update provided to ROB on Jan. 30:
VSP Vision reported that its company matching program had generated more than $15,000 to support Southern California disaster relief efforts.
The VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinic event that was scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in January was postponed due to fire/weather concerns.
The company is still prepared to deploy additional mobile clinics, if needed.
What You Can Do
AOA’s OFDR is working alongside the California Optometric Association (COA) to support doctors and students impacted by the recent wildfires.
Both groups are urging those impacted to apply for a grant: Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR) | The AOA Foundation
OFDR and COA are available to assist those overwhelmed as they deal with this life-altering situation.
