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Vision health is a critical but often overlooked aspect of well-being. According to estimates from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, 50.18 million American adults over the age of 18 report experiencing some level of vision loss. Among them, 3.89 million have significant trouble seeing even with corrective lenses, and around 340,000 are entirely blind.
In New York State, vision issues are similarly prevalent, with higher rates of blindness or vision impairment among populations including older adults, women, and certain minority groups. The Big Data Project on vision loss estimates that around 7.3% of New Yorkers aged 65 and older experience some form of blindness or severe vision loss. Prevalence across counties ranges from 3% to over 15%, particularly affecting under-resourced rural areas. As the need for accessible eye care grows, several companies are stepping up to offer comprehensive and affordable solutions. Here’s how:
Making comprehensive eye exams more affordable
Early in 2024, Visionix and 20/20NOW introduced a new tele-optometry program at Vision Expo East, aimed at expanding affordable access to comprehensive eye exams across the state. Tele-optometry allows patients to have an eye exam through a virtual platform with an optometrist remotely assessing the results, which can significantly benefit New Yorkers who live far from traditional eye care facilities.
“For multi-location practices with satellite locations or those adding locations with limited coverage of only a couple of days per week, tele-optometry can be a real game-changer,” said Dr. Noelle Tchang, OD, director of professional services at 20/20NOW. “Some offices are backed up by 4 to 6 months due to limited coverage, and tele-optometry helps clear this backlog while giving patients immediate access to care.” The tele-optometry solution is now available in over 30 states, supported by a team of remote optometrists to provide clinical reviews and enhance accessibility across the nation.
Enhancing access to eyewear online
For many New Yorkers, eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration can be prevented or mitigated by wearing protective eyewear, such as sunglasses. Fortunately, Sunglass Hut has been at the forefront of making quality eyewear more accessible through e-commerce since 1988.
As technology has reshaped the eyewear industry, online platforms have faced the challenge of providing customers with a way to virtually try on frames. Sunglass Hut responded by introducing a virtual glasses try on tool, allowing customers to see how various frames would look on their faces. This technology replicates the in-store experience, offering personalized recommendations that streamline the buying process and make it more accessible for individuals across the state. With these innovations, shopping for eyewear online has become a convenient experience, ensuring that more people can obtain high-quality sunglasses to protect their vision.
Providing free glasses to those in need
Organizations across New York are working to ensure that vision health services reach vulnerable communities. For instance, the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club recently donated 200 pairs of reading glasses to the Volunteer Health Program (VHP) to support global eye health missions. These glasses were part of a larger donation made to the Yonkers Lions Club, which shared them with other Lions clubs to ensure they reached those in need.
Efforts like these are also happening within New York state. One example is a vision clinic hosted by LensCrafters in the Bronx, where optometrists and staff came together to provide free eye exams and glasses to under-resourced children. The clinic, held in September at the Rev. T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center, was a collaboration with The Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Junior and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. Over three days, more than 150 children received eye exams and, where needed, prescription glasses, addressing vision issues that might otherwise go undiagnosed. Thanks to the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s clinic model and efficient manufacturing capabilities, most children requiring glasses were able to receive their new prescription eyewear on-site.
From tele-optometry solutions that improve exam accessibility in remote areas to technology-driven platforms making eyewear more accessible, and charitable initiatives ensuring children receive critical eye care, these efforts are helping bridge the gap in vision health statewide.
