The need for vision care is greater than ever, especially with the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities across the world. Global vision care nonprofit ONESIGHT stepped up to help with its latest initiative in New York City to provide vision care to over 200 New Yorkers in the Bronx community. The three day charitable clinic kicked off on World Sight Day, addressing the unresolved vision care needs for New Yorkers who may otherwise lack access. OneSight leveraged its proven clinic model and manufacturing capabilities and was able to provide most of its visitors with newly prescribed eyewear on site while maintaining its COVID-19 operational protocol. A core team of OneSight personnel and volunteers along with multiple optometrists and opticians staffed the daily operations of the clinic.
“Caring for vulnerable populations has to be about more than just immediate need,” says K-T Overbey, president and executive director at OneSight. “Clear sight opens windows to the future—it improves long-term educational, professional and social prospects. Our work improves quality of life, especially for individuals in need. We’re extremely proud of the work we did on the ground in New York with our vision clinic.”
As part of its World Sight Day initiatives, OneSight also teamed up with other leading global vision nonprofit organizations Clearly and IAPB to shine a light on the 230 million-plus kids worldwide who need glasses, but don’t have access to receive them. The three organizations launched a free digital children’s book Through the Looking Glasses: Stories About Seeing Clearly, which features 30 children’s stories and illustrations about seeing clearly by authors and artists from 17 countries. The global initiative also included “Bedtime Stories” where celebrities, athletes and authors including tennis legend Billie Jean King, restaurateur David Chang, actress Michelle Yeoh and TV personality Jo Frost read stories from the book on World Sight Day as thousands of participants tuned in around the world.
To learn more about OneSight, World Sight Day and download the free digital book, visit onesight.org/worldsightday.
–Christine Yeh
