Eyeglasses for Struggling Kentucky Families

Dear Supporter,

”New Eyes For Kentucky” continues to be a critical program for so many financially struggling Kentuckians who need but cannot afford the invaluable tool of new eyeglasses and clear vision to improve their lives – and we thank you for your support in making deep impacts on so many lives.

Since our last report in April, our program has assisted an additional 205 low-income Kentucky residents by providing them with new eyeglasses. They include 15 children, 111 women and 79 men. Over the last twelve months, we have helped 567 Kentuckians in need receive new glasses at a cost of $13,426, an average price of $23.68. This includes prescriptions of all kinds – high, low, bifocal, single-vision, complicated and simple. Compared to the $230 average cost of glasses in the U.S., we are stretching our donors’ dollars thanks to our special partnerships in the optical industry and our efficient and streamlined application and delivery model.

We hear directly from our clients about the cost and difficulty they face when trying to buy eyeglasses. Many have gone years without new glasses. Since 1932, New Eyes has stood by these individuals, changing lives one pair of glasses at a time so they can build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. We know clear vision matters and the need continues to grow. Studies and statistics confirm it:

• Nearly 70% of American adults need vision correction (NIH)
• Of adults needing glasses, 1in11 (9%) could not afford them (CDC)
• About 13.6% of low-income Americans reported unable to afford glasses (CDC)
• 43% of Americans delay eye care due to cost visionmonday.com

With partners like GlobalGiving, New Eyes is changing lives with the simple, yet critical tool of eyeglasses – and we thank you all for your support.

With deep gratitude,

Jean Gajano, Executive Director

Links:

• New Eyes website