In honor of its 70th anniversary, VSP Vision announced a 70-event tour across the United States to provide free eye exams and prescription-based glasses to patients in communities in need.
How it’s doing this: Through the VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinics.
Start with VSP.
As the largest national not-for-profit, full-service vision benefits provider, VSP Vision provides vision insurance plans covering routine eye care, frame allowances, basic lenses, eye surgery, and medical issues.
- Among its complementary businesses: VSP Vision Care, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Visionworks, Eyefinity, Eyeconic, VSP Optics, and VSP Ventures.
And what exactly is Eyes of Hope?
This would be VSP’s 501(c)(3) charitable program, launched over 25 years ago to provide no-cost, equitable access to vision care for those facing barriers such as income, distance, and natural disasters.
- Since its establishment: The initiative has reportedly invested $20 million in disaster relief and donated 2.2+ million pairs of eyewear to 3.8+ million individuals across the globe.
As for its funding: The program is 100% funded by VSP Vision and supported by charitable partners such as the American Red Cross (for disaster relief) and Prevent Blindness as well as optometric associations and schools of optometry.
Go on …
Among its vision care programs available for partners to participate in:
- Eyewear donations (as mentioned)
- Gift certificates (vouchers enabling access to eyecare and new prescription glasses at no cost through a local VSP network doctor)
- Take note though: VSP has currently paused distribution of these certificates due to an increased demand for the program
- Mobile eyecare clinics (more on this below)
Let’s talk about these mobile clinics.
Operating in partnership with VSP network physicians, local doctors, and non-profits, the clinics travel across the country to provide no-cost eye exams and prescription glasses to eligible patients.
Each clinic is equipped with:
- An eye exam room
- Portable exam equipment (for comprehensive eye exams)
- Eyewear dispensary (with top frame brands)
- Optical finishing lab (featuring VSP Optics-donated lenses)
Can I get a look inside one of these clinics?
Check it out below.
As a bonus: A fourth, new, 40-foot mobile clinic was recently added to the fleet—the latest addition since introducing the Odysee mobile clinic back in 2019.
And who qualifies for these eyecare services?
According to VSP, patients meeting the following criteria:
- Individuals of any age
- Family income up to 200% of the U.S. federal poverty level guidelines
- Do not have routine eyecare or eyewear coverage via a private insurer or government program
- Have not received care through a VSP program within the last 12 months
So how long has VSP offered this mobile care?
For the last 20 years, actually. They were first put to use in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Since then: VSP Eyes of Hope has collaborated with physicians and non-profits on over 1,300 mobile outreach events across the country—assisting +4 million in need.
Amazing! Are there any opportunities for physicians to get involved?
There are indeed. For VSP providers interested in volunteering at a mobile clinic outreach event near them, VSP advises them to learn more on its Provider Hub and to complete a doctor interest form.
Speaking of these outreach events … where are the clinics making stops?
They most recently made their first stop at Women’s Empowerment—a domestic abuse treatment center and long-time VSP partner—in Sacramento, California (where VSP is headquartered), providing eye exams and prescription glasses to over 55 women and children.
Next up: That’s to be determined! Check back at VSP for details.