Eyeglasses for Struggling Kentucky Families

Dear Supporter,

“New Eyes for Kentucky” continues to enable eye care access for low income Kentucky residents by providing  them with the simple, yet critical, tool of eyeglasses. Since 1932, New Eyes has made a postive impact on the in the lives of financially struggling children, adults and seniors with the clear vision they receive from our eyeglasses. It is a 94-year old mission that is as important and relevant today as it was at our founding in 1932.

Since our last report in December 2025, New Eyes has assisted 139 Kentuckians: 7 children, 77 women and 62 men, bringing the past year's total to 589 individuals in need in Kentucky at an average cost of $23.76 per pair of glasses. Compare that to the current $244 U.S. average cost of new eyeglasses. Our clients struggle to pay rent, food, medical and childcare bills, making a new pair of glasses a luxury when it is truly a necessity. They now have the clear vision to improve their live: children through better education; adults through employment; and the elderly through independence and security. 

The National Institutes of Health state that uncorrected refractive error (difficulty seeing near or far) is responsible for visual impairment in 8.24 million Americans who do not have eyeglasses due to cost and access. That number is expected to double by 2050. No doubt New Eyes has more work to do in the coming years. We will count on partners like GlobalGiving so that those in need get the tool to independence, success, confidence and so much more – the tool of eyeglasses!

With deep gratitude,

Jean Gajano, Executive Director

Links:

• Visit our website