Special Olympics and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation have announced the extension of their impactful partnership for an additional three years between 2024 and 2026 at a ceremony in New York in September 2024.
This collaboration will continue to provide essential vision care, including comprehensive eye exams and prescription lenses to Special Olympics athletes worldwide through the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes Program.
Since the partnership's inception, the Special Olympics and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation have worked together to advance inclusive health initiatives, ensuring that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to high-quality eye care services. This renewed commitment will further extend these critical services to thousands of athletes globally, promoting equity and inclusion in healthcare.
David Evangelista, Special Olympics International Senior Advisor for International Development and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President, said: “Our partnership with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation empowers our athletes with the eye health and vision care support they need to achieve their best—both on and off the field of play.
“We are honored to continue to build upon our global partnership and committed to growing its impact together for those who need it most.”
The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has been instrumental in making high-quality vision care accessible to all, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. By focusing on the unique needs of Special Olympics athletes, this partnership has fostered an environment where every individual has the opportunity to achieve their best.
Becky Palm, Executive Director, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation North America shared, “For more than two decades, our collaboration with Special Olympics has provided eye care to hundreds of thousands of athletes. Through our continued partnership, we look forward to delivering life-changing eyecare to these inspiring individuals at an even greater scale.”
Over the next three years, the partnership will continue to deliver eye care services to Special Olympics athletes at no cost, including prescription glasses, protective sports eyewear, and referrals for further treatment when necessary. By integrating these services into the broader health initiatives of the Special Olympics, the program aims to enhance the quality of life for athletes, empowering them to achieve their full potential both on and off the field.
Since its launch, the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes Program has provided over 400,000 eye exams and distributed more than 250,000 pairs of glasses to athletes in over 100 countries.
