Eyeglasses for Struggling Kentucky Families

Since our last report in December, New Eyes has been able to help 50 more Kentuckians in financial need with new prescription eyeglasses. These glasses were made possible by donations made through GlobalGiving, bringing the total of Kentucky residents assisted by GlobalGiving donations to 207 (91 women; 83 men; and 33 children).

New Eyes worked with 18 different social service agencies and health advocates located in Kentucky, assisting residents in obtaining new glasses and clear vision through our program. Of the Kentuckians helped, 33% were senior citizens or disabled individuals on traditional Medicare, which covers eye exams, but not eyeglasses. Sixty-five were from working poor families receiving Medicaid which also covers eye exams, but not eyeglasses in Kentucky (with children receiving one pair every 12 months, leaving them with no recourse if their prescriptions change or glasses break). The remaining 2% had no insurance and had received free eye exams from a local optometrist.

New Eyes fills the gap that Medicare and Medicaid (and no insurance coverage) leave behind by providing those most in need with new eyeglasses. These individuals helped through GlobalGiving donations give them the clear vision they need to see the blackboard or participate in recess; to read a bus schedule or complete a job application; and to correctly read a prescription label or avoid falling obstacles. The impact is deep and long lasting.

Links:

• New Eyes

Since the last report in September, New Eyes has provided an additional 38 Kentucky residents with new prescription eyeglasses thanks to donations made through GlobalGiving. The total number of low income Kentuckians helped through GlobalGiving donations is 157: 76 women, 55 men and 26 children. New Eyes worked directly with 13 social service agencies in Kentucky to provide their clients with the simple, yet critical, tool of eyeglasses. Seventy percent of the adults and all of the children's families were working poor; the remainder were either senior citizens on traditional Medicare or disabled adults. 

Traditional Medicare does not pay for eyeglasses for seniors. Medicaid does not pay for eyeglasses in Kentucky for adults and provides only one pair for a child per year (if the child's prescription changes or if they lose or break their eyeglasses they must wait a full year before they receive another pair). These recipients would not have been able to afford the glasses they need to see clearly and improve their lives. Because of the funding through Global Giving, these children can go to school prepared to succeed; adults will be able to find employment or improve job performance and senior citizens will be able to live more securely and independently, able to read medication labels, avoid falling hazards and move more freely. 

Links:

• New Eyes for the Needy