Essilor Vision Foundation focuses on eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences and providing underprivileged people the opportunity to live a better life through better sight.
Expanding global reach
Since its creation in 2007 in the United States, Essilor Vision Foundation has expanded its reach by establishing local entities in Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN (headquartered in Singapore), Canada, China and India, supporting programs across the Americas, Africa and Asia.
Essilor Vision Foundation dedicates significant resources to vision care programs
enabling children to perform better at school as well as improving the visual health of other disadvantaged communities. As part of the Special Olympics Healthy Eyes program, Essilor volunteers have helped screen more than 400,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and improve their vision with prescription eyewear, sunglasses and other sports equipment.
THESE GLASSES MAKE MY LIFE EASIER
“Before, it was very difficult for me to see the figures on the measuring tape. There were times I even injured myself because of not seeing properly. These glasses make my life easier so I really take care of them.”
– Jesus Palanga carpenter from manila, Philippines, got his first glasses at a screening program in 2016
CREATING COUNTLESS MOMENTS OF EXCELLENCE
“Essilor’s ongoing support to the Opening Eyes program, Special Olympics athletes are given the chance to achieve their best both on and off the field of play, creating countless moments of excellence that are celebrated in communities throughout the world.””
– David S. Evangelista President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia
THE EYE DOCTORS WERE VERY DEDICATED
“Special Olympics changed Cristi’s life. Our child can properly see now and there will be no more obstacles to overcome because of his visual condition.”
– Corina Ardeleanu, mother of Cristi, Special Olympics Romania, beneficiary of the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program for athletes with intellectual disabilities supported by Essilor since 2002.
IT FEELS SO GOOD!
“My classmate gave me her old glasses when she got a new pair as my parents couldn’t buy me my own. I never felt comfortable with her eyeglasses, now I have my own and it feels so good!”
– Xiao Dong, student in grade 3 at Gedashang Primary School, China
HAVING CLEAR VISION IS KEY TO LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
“Having clear vision is key to living life to the fullest. Vision is important to people whether they are with or without disabilities.”
– Sashi Montana a 19-year-old Special Olympics youth leader who is raising the flag for inclusive vision care with her ‘eye can play’ project
I USED TO OFTEN FALL DOWN THE STAIRS
“I used to often fall down the stairs but never realized it was because I couldn’t see properly. At a vision camp they checked my eyes and provided me with a free pair of glasses. I am very thankful for this.”
– A village elder in Mandalay, Myanmar, told Essilor volunteers at a follow-up screening
I WANT TO BECOME A TEACHER
“I want to become a teacher. Now that i can see clearly i will study even harder to realize my dream.”
– Zhuoma a schoolgirl from Qinghai province, china who received her first pair of glasses in may 2016
I CAN SEE CLEARLY
“I have always been long sighted for about 3 years. But with my glasses now, I can see clearly, even the small digits.”
– Daw Shwe, 55 years old, Cambodia
I WOULD LIKE TO TELL EVERYONE
“I would like to tell everyone this; remember to wear your glasses regularly.”
– Dien 12, Cambodia
THE EYES ARE VERY IMPORTANT
“The eyes are very important, if you lose them, you will lose everything.”
– School child, Vietnam
THE WORDS ON THE BLACKBOARD BECAME BLURRY
“I was in 5th grade when the words on the blackboard became blurry. My eyes hurt when I wrote my notes in class. I feel very happy to have my glasses now.”
– Bao Tram, 15 years old, student from Vietnam
REAL CHANGE
RELATED STORIES
INCLUSIVE BUSINESS
MODELS
Since 2013, Essilor has been exploring different inclusive business models to solve the issue of access to vision care by creating the infrastructure to serve ‘base of the pyramid’ consumers.
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