Free Vision Checks

While eye doctors often recommend annual eye exams, many do not have insurance coverage for vision care, or health insurance at all. The price of an eye exam and prescription glasses can cost up to $200 and further deters people from getting their eyesight checked. By providing free vision screenings, you can help the public improve, protect, and preserve eyesight.

Steps

• Team up with eye care professionals. Contact organizations that may conduct vision screenings: state Prevent Blindness America organization, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, American Optometry Association, eye institutes, optometric centers, eye care companies, optometry universities, insurance companies, etc.
• Decide where you will hold the screenings. You can hold the screening in your church or at a busy location in town e.g. malls.
• Advertise your services. Ask permission to post flyers at local businesses and advertise at the local newspaper. It is helpful to print your flyers in Spanish as well.
• On the day of screening, set up tables and chairs. Put up table signs or banners and have eye health brochures ready to hand out. It is also helpful to have translators at the screening.

Tips

• Other health screenings you may consider providing are high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, body mass index, and breast cancer.
• To encourage participation from eye care professionals or organization, consider holding the vision checks in conjunction with World Sight Day (second Thursday in October) or World Glaucoma Day (usually first week of March).