The Opening Eyes program provides Special Olympics athletes in more than 80 countries with vision examinations, prescription eyewear and referrals for follow-up care.
Safilo Group has announced a new three-year commitment to Special Olympics. The partnership between Safilo and Special Olympics dates back to 2003, and the past 12 years have led to more than 1 million optical frames and sunglasses provided to Special Olympics athletes all over the world. As part of the Special Olympics global health platform made possible through the support of the Golisano Foundation and various stakeholders, the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program provides Special Olympics athletes in more than 80 countries with vision examinations, prescription eyewear and valuable referrals for follow-up care.
“Special Olympics has found that one out of every five athletes competing at Games has never had an eye examination, and more than one in three athletes need a new eyewear prescription,” explains Mary Davis, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics, Inc. “Partners such as Safilo are crucial to the success of our Opening Eyes program because together we work to break down the barriers that people with intellectual disabilities experience when seeking quality health care and access to health services. We are extremely grateful for Safilo’s continued commitment to Special Olympics and we look forward to three more years of this important partnership, which benefits athletes in such a significant way.”