ReSpectacle : Bridging Vision Inequality Through Partnership With Goodwill Industries of Kentucky & University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology
by LILY WILDING , BA , & KHOI DO , BS
Introduction
Access to regular eye care and affordable prescription glasses is a significant health equity issue affecting communities worldwide . Many individuals , particularly those in underserved populations , go without eye care and appropriate eyeglasses due to costs not covered by many federal , state and private insurance policies . This can lead to undiagnosed and untreated vision problems such as myopia , glaucoma , diabetic retinopathy and cataracts that not only impact daily quality of life but may ultimately cause permanent blindness . Addressing access to both diagnosis and treatment is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring that all individuals , regardless of their socioeconomic status , can receive the eye care they need .
Who We Are
ReSpectacle is a national 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization , founded by pediatric ophthalmologist Dr . Dr . Jeffrey T . Lynch in 2011 and headquartered in Hudson , Wisconsin . Its mission is to provide good quality used prescription eyeglasses to underserved communities worldwide . The organization operates through numerous local chapters across the U . S . Each functions independently to collect and process donated eyeglasses . After each pair of glasses has had its prescription determined , it is listed online at www . respectacle . org for only $ 7.99 . The organization has grown to include 12 chapters nationwide , primarily based at universities and medical schools , each contributing to the broader goal of health equity by improving access to vision care .
The Louisville chapter supports this mission of worldwide redistribution , while also focusing on local community collection efforts and outreach to address eye health disparities in Louisville . We partner with the University of Louisville School of Medicine ( ULSOM ), the UofL Department of Ophthalmology , Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and share eyeglasses donated to the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation . The Louisville chapter has created a novel means of driving collections and local redistribution , having established a network to provide community members with resources for regular eye care and affordable eyeglasses .
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