Services

New Eyes for the Needy purchases prescription eyeglasses for indigent Americans through a voucher program. Eligible clients can receive a voucher through a social service agency or a school nurse, or directly from our office. Clients can present a New Eyes voucher to any participating local optical dispenser, who fits the client with the proper prescription eyeglasses. The dispenser then receives reimbursement directly from New Eyes.

Social service agencies pre-screen applicants for financial need. We work through established channels of social workers, school nurses, and optical dispensers.

In 2004-2005 New Eyes helped 6,800 disadvantaged Americans purchase the eyeglasses they needed but could not afford.

To be eligible for our program, applicants must:

• Be in financial need.
• Have had a recent eye exam. New Eyes does not pay for eye exams (The web site has information on how to get a free eye exam.)
• Have no other resources available to them to pay for glasses, including federal or state programs or assistance from local charitable organizations

A New Eyes voucher typically covers only the cost of a basic pair of single or bifocal glasses.