Young woman watching another woman try on new glasses at a vision event.

Making an Impact Through Sight

We are on a mission to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and accessible eye care and eyewear so that they can see their best to live their best.

The Crisis Explained

The New York Times called the global vision crisis “the biggest health crisis you’ve never heard of.” It may not get as much attention as other health issues, but that doesn’t make it any less important. The numbers speak for themselves – there are a magnitude of individuals whose lives we can easily and dramatically improve with the right vision care.

1.1 Billion

People around the world that live with vision loss according to a 2021 Lancet Global eye Health study.

16 Million

People in the United States with vision loss, also according to the 2021 Lancet Global Eye Health study.

7%

Percentage of children in the United States with diagnosed eye and vision conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

two girls in glasses smiling

In 2022, National Vision joined VisionSpring on a trip to Ghana to get an up close look at the vision crisis. Following this trip, we donated $100,000 to VisionSpring’s Livelihoods in Focus initiative, a $70 million effort funded in part by MacKenzie Scott. Through Livelihoods in Focus, low-income workers are able to receive much needed eye care and eyewear. The program intends to correct the vision of more than 6 million people by 2030.

Livelihoods in Focus aims to unlock new income earning potential amounting to over $1 billion among tea, coffee, cocoa and artisan workers around the world. Improved vision has also been shown to improve quality of life, reduce depression and anxiety and increase involvement in religious and family life.

African American male wearing glasses and working on his studies at a coffee shop.

The Impact of Our Work

Sight impacts every component of our lives. When we break down barriers to receiving necessary eye care, we can unlock countless personal benefits that can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life, including:

  • More confidence
  • Heightened social engagement
  • Better grades for students
  • Increased worker productivity
  • Enjoyment and fullness of life

Our associates and network of optometrists have the chance to make this difference in people’s lives every single day.

Our Approach

For years, we have addressed the public health issue surrounding eye health both in our business model and through philanthropic partnerships.

  • Smiling African American woman with glasses talking on the phone.

    An Optical Industry for Everyone

    We are dedicated to doing our part to enable a more diverse optical industry. We invest in shaping a more inclusive future for the optical community and champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within our own walls.

  • Two older individuals discussing their new glasses.

    Philanthropic Commitments

    We believe that we have a responsibility to help solve the world’s vision crisis by expanding access to affordable eye care for underserved people and providing free eye care to those who need it most – not only in our own backyard, but across the globe.

See How We’re Giving Back

Our philanthropic programs and the teams behind them are contributing to the greater good every day. Read up on our latest news and stories.