Donate the Gift of Sight

Make a difference with
your old eyeglasses

According to the nonprofit OneSight, more than 1 billion people around the world with vision loss and lack of access to eye care could regain their sight with a pair of glasses. OneSight is a nonprofit that brings eye exams, glasses and permanent vision centers to the individuals and places that need eye care the most. So far, they’ve helped more than 21 million people in 49 countries.

Here are some recommendations on how to put your eyeglasses to good [re]use from AllAboutVision.com, a website that provides consumers with an unbiased source of trustworthy information on eye health and vision correction options. 

1. When you need to update your prescription, consider dropping your old glasses by a LensCrafters, Sears Optical or Pearle Vision location. Donated eyewear is sent to several Lions Club organizations, which serve and advocate for the blind and visually impaired. Find a club near you to see if they have a dropbox at a location in your community.
2. You can also donate old glasses at Walmart and Sam’s Club vision centers across the United States. The Lions Club has agreements with these retailers, as well.
3. Through Eyes of Hope, vision insurer VSP Global provides access to no-cost eye care and eyewear for more than 2 million people around the world. They accept donations of new and gently used eyewear. Members can print a free shipping label to send donated glasses to them for free.

To increase the chances your donated eyeglasses are used, check the donation guidelines posted by the organization you’ve chosen to give to as they may not accept contact lenses, broken or damaged glasses, or glasses cases.