OneSight: Where Design Meets Vision
OneSight is an independent nonprofit committed to eradicating the global vision care crisis in our lifetime. Sponsored by Luxottica, OneSight provides vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams, new prescription eyewear, and sunglasses to individuals who cannot afford them. During my career working at Luxottica and LensCrafters, I became deeply connected to this program and its mission to solve the global vision crisis--which touches more than 1 billion people--in our lifetime, and I carry lessons about their philanthropy, design, and mission with me at Envisage.
Years ago, while I was still at Luxottica, I was initially drawn to the program from a personal standpoint. I require vision correction, and I have since I was in grade school. I’m extremely nearsighted (myopic) and can’t imagine how difficult my life would be without corrective lenses. OneSight brings vision to people much less fortunate than myself, and to hear the stories of people finally being able to see their child’s face or being able to work was very moving for me.
Over time and through many volunteer positions, I became the Design Lead for their sustainable clinics in the US and across the world. I also led teams in the Cincinnati area to provide on-site vision screenings to kids from kindergarten to high school every fall to identify vision issues early in the school year.
OneSight is working with Medicaid providers and health departments to set up sustainable school-based vision clinics to provide affordable vision care here in the United States. It has worked with local health organizations to open school-based vision clinics in Cincinnati Public Schools' Oyler School, Hamilton City School District and Fairfield City School District. Students of need that are identified with vision issues are referred to the optometrists at these clinics to complete their comprehensive eye care and receive glasses.
Although OneSight primarily assists schools with children in need, any school can benefit from the program. Take Becky Schmidt, Director of Operations, Target Optical, as a great example. Becky reached out to her son’s school, Kings Mills Elementary, and rounded up a group to use the OneSight Vision Screening model to help out the school nurse screen the kindergarten, first and third grade students.
Becky, Eric and their son Brody at KME. He was so proud and excited to have his parents there helping his friends.
OneSight stepped up to donate the equipment: Snellen Charts, color and stereopsis screening kits, and evaluation sheets. With eight volunteers, we were able to screen 300 children in 5 hours. It would have taken the nurse weeks to evaluate all those kids on her own. Imagine the effect that delay could have on learning for a child who can’t see the board?
Students waiting for their vision screening.
Younger children were also tested for color blindness and depth perception (stereopsis). Students that did not pass any one of these tests have their parents notified so that they may be taken to a professional eye exam.
Snellen Chart and other supplies for the vision screenings were supplied by OneSight.
Today, OneSight is working with governments oversees to provide equipment, product and training to set up vision clinics globally.
At the end of the day, we know that clear sight does so much more than help us see clearly. It helps us perform better in school, learn more and connect more deeply with one another. Learn more at www.OneSight.org
