Press Release: Celebrating a 10M Milestone with the Optical Industry

RestoringVision Marks Distribution of 10M Glasses to People in Need

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (March 5)—The non-profit organization dedicated to providing reading glasses to people in need around the world, RestoringVision, is celebrating its biggest milestone— having helped over 10M people worldwide see and live better.

Founded 15 years ago by Mark Sachs—whose basement operations for storing, packing, and shipping glasses advanced into the largest non-profit provider of new reading glasses to people living in impoverished communities—RestoringVision is expressing gratitude to the members of the optical industry that have supported its work since its inception.

“We are thrilled to have been able to help 10 million people restore their vision and their lives through the gift of sight,” said Sachs, Founder of RestoringVision. “We are grateful to our charitable partners in the field, our donors, and especially our sponsors and supporters from the optical community. Without their continued support, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

RestoringVision has grown from helping thousands to millions of people each year by working in collaboration with diverse segments of the optical industry. From start-up businesses to international companies dedicated to manufacturing or distributing optical products and/or services. These organizations support RestoringVision by making in-kind or financial contributions or by helping the non-profit raise awareness about the global need for reading glasses.

“The involvement and commitment of companies and organizations from the optical sector have been key to the success of RestoringVision. Thanks to them, we have been able to grow and help millions of people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to vision correction,” said Pelin Munis, Executive Director of RestoringVision.

Some of RestoringVision’s key supporters within the optical industry include: FGX International, Walmart, National Vision Inc., DIFF Charitable Eyewear, Cohen’s Fashion Optical, General Vision Services, EyeCare Partners, LasikPlus, Joffe MediCenter, Jimmy Fairly (France), and Enchroma.

“We want all of our supporters from the optical industry to know that thanks to them, 10 million people are now returning to their jobs, regaining their independence, and seizing opportunities for growth because their vision is restored,” said Munis.

Uncorrected poor vision affects over 2.5 billion worldwide. This is one of the biggest global health problems, yet there are simple, cost-effective solutions such as reading glasses. Therefore, RestoringVision has set a goal to help 20 million people by the end of 2020. The non-profit is calling on the optical industry for more support.

“While we have been able to help millions, the need is much bigger,” said Munis. “We hope that many more optical industry members join us in addressing this problem. The more organizations that become involved, the more people we will be able to help.”

For more information about RestoringVision, click here or contact them at info@restoringvision.org.

Media contact: Grecia Greco, grecia@restoringvision.org