Our sights are set
on solving one of the biggest global health problems of our time
Mission
To empower lives by restoring vision for millions of people in need.
Vision
A world where everyone who needs glasses has them.
Values
Translate empathy into action.
Do good with integrity.
Be fiercely committed.
What we do
We are committed to leading the charge to end the global vision crisis by developing channels for vision services and building sustainable programs to ensure people have ongoing access to the glasses they need.
Why it matters
The global vision crisis is one of the most overlooked health crises in the world, impacting over 1 billion people. However, this burden is not distributed equally. Over 90% of people with vision impairment live in low- and middle-income countries. The ripple effects of forgoing eyecare include loss of productivity, livelihoods, opportunities for education, and independence.
Who's with us
We take a collaborative approach to solving the global vision crisis. With financial support from donors, our network of over 3,000 INGOs, NGOs, governments, faith-based health systems, social enterprises, private sector partners, and the world’s largest optical companies on our side, we will restore the world’s vision.
Everyone deserves to see clearly
A clearer future
This year, we are committed to impacting 7.3 million lives through our vision and glasses delivery programs, empowering individuals with the life-changing clarity of vision. Our commitment to driving global transformation through the power of clear vision is steadfast and resolute.
Better vision is just the beginning
With an eye on impact, RestoringVision’s work lies at the intersection of global health, education, and economic development. Investing in universal eye health is a realistic, cost-effective way of unlocking human potential, advancing Sustainable Development Goals, and improving the world economy. Working together with dedicated partners and donors, a brighter future is in sight.
Trusted by
3,000
Organizations
Restored Vision for
34 Million
People
Impacted
150
Countries
From Basement to Breakthrough
Mark Sachs
Founder of RestoringVision, Chair Emeritus, and Advisor
RestoringVision was founded in 2003 by Mark Sachs, a veteran of the optical industry. On an optical mission trip, Mark observed that more than 50% of people who visited the 2-week optical clinic needed only a pair of reading glasses to correct their vision impairment.
Upon his return to the United States, Mark secured in-kind glasses donations from optical companies. He then offered these glasses to local nonprofit organizations as an addition to their scheduled mission trips. And RestoringVision was born.
What started out as a small operation in Mark Sachs’ basement has grown into a global endeavor reaching 34 million people in 150 countries.
Board of Directors
Kevin Hassey
Board Chair
Optical Marketing Executive
Erwin Cho
Secretary
Chief Consumer Officer, Presbyterian Health Plan
Myles S. Lewis
Treasurer
CEO, General Vision Services
Reade Fahs
Board Member
CEO, National Vision, Inc.
Pelin Munis, Ph.D.
Board Member
Chief Executive Officer, RestoringVision
Jayanth Bhuvaraghan
Board Member
Sr. Advisor, Mentor, Coach Former Chief Mission Officer, Essilor International
Mary Ann Peters
Board Member
Ambassador in Residence and Professor of Practice, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University
Our Team
Blaise Ruffing, CPA
Interim Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth Walsh
Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Rae Miller
Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain
Shaun Starkey
Vice President of Operations, Warehouse, Shipping, and Logistics
Jacob Gomez, MPH
Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Evidence, and Learning
Mario Alvarez
Director of Technology
Eleonora Kinnicutt, MPH
Senior Program Manager
Thioro Ndoye, MPH
Manager of Programs and Monitoring, Africa, Asia, and US
Gerardo Medina-Duarte, MBA
Manager of Programs and Monitoring, Latin America and the Caribbean
Kyle Oleksiuk
Development Manager
