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What happens at a clinic?
Each clinic day, team members help thousands of people who wait in line for the opportunity to get eye exams and recycled eyewear. Team members give each patient a three-part exam then, with a computer, search the supply of recycled eyewear to select a pair that most nearly matches the recipient’s prescription. At the dispensing area where recipients put their eyewear on for the first time, team members see the “mission magic” happen: A simple pair of glasses transforms a person’s lifetime of poor vision in a moment. It truly is a magical experience!
Where do you get the used eyewear for these international missions?
We collect millions of pairs of used eyewear in Luxottica Retail stores including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical and Sunglass Hut stores as well as participating optometrists. We also receive eyewear from Lions Clubs International and participating eye doctors across North America. Then, volunteers clean, repair and classify the eyewear by prescription to be hand-delivered to those in need.
Do you bring your own supplies on each mission?
We bring all the supplies necessary to operate the clinic including optical testing equipment, medicines, computers, recycled eyewear and other supplies. Luxottica Group vendors support Gift of Sight missions by donating tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and supplies. Click here to see a list of 2007 donors of in-kind goods and services.
What role do Lions clubs play?
In addition to Lions clubs’ partnership in collecting and recycling used eyewear, Lions clubs around the world co-sponsor GOS international missions. Local Lions clubs in the mission country are vital to our success because they select and prepare the clinic site, host the clinics and identify and transport about 4,000 underprivileged people each day of a two-week mission. Local Lions club members also coordinate translators, security, team accommodations and assist GOS with securing customs clearance and permits from government offices.
Where have you held missions?
Since 1991, Gift of Sight has hosted 101 missions in 27 countries including Albania, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia and Venezuela. Click here to see the map showing our mission locations and results.
How do you select the countries where clinics are held?
Countries are selected based on a number of criteria including a large population of people who cannot afford or do not have access to eye care. Gift of Sight also requires that there is an existing, established Lions club in the country. The host country should be safe and the government must agree to clear our equipment and eyewear through customs.
How do local people find out about the clinic?
The local Lions club advertises the clinics in advance in villages near the clinic site. Lions club members also work with local governments, social agencies and churches to identify and inform underprivileged patients.
How many people are helped on each mission?
Our goal is to help at least 24,000 people on each two-week international mission.
How many pairs of recycled eyewear do you take on each mission?
For each two-week mission, we transport 35,000 to 40,000 pairs of recycled prescription eyewear as well as 10,000 pairs each of new reading glasses sunglasses. We bring a surplus of eyewear so that we have plenty to choose from when trying to match prescriptions. Extra eyewear is left with the local Lions clubs for future distribution.
Who funds Gift of Sight international missions?
International missions are funded by Luxottica Group and Give the Gift of Sight Foundation. Luxottica Group funds the used eyewear collection program, payroll costs for mission team members as well as payroll, administration and overhead for Give the Gift of Sight Foundation. Give the Gift of Sight Foundation covers team travel, accommodations and shipment of equipment.
Who staffs the missions and how are they selected?
Independent practitioners, Luxottica Group employees and partners staff our missions. Each mission team requires about 32 people to serve recipients efficiently: Seven optometrists, 14 opticians and 11 technicians. Mission team members are chosen by a selection committee of alumni team members based on their commitment to Luxottica Group, Gift of Sight programs and their local communities.
How can I help?
Gift of Sight programs require the support of Luxottica Group, Luxottica Retail employees, doctors affiliated with Luxottica Group, independent optometrists, our generous donors and vendor partners who fuel our programs with time, resources and passion. You can help in two ways:
Collect used eyewear and bring it to your local LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, Sunglass Hut or to any participating independent optometrist.
Donate to Give the Gift of Sight Foundation to support international, domestic missions and Vision Van clinics. Click here to donate today!
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