While residents of Florida braced for back-to-back devastating storms from Hurricanes Helene and Milton over the past few weeks, the optical community was busy taking steps to provide disaster relief to those affected by the natural disasters. Hurricane Helene’s devastation was felt primarily across six states, with more than 200 deaths reported from Florida to Tennessee. The death toll and damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit a major swath of Florida this past week, is still being assessed.

From organizations such as the American Optometric Association (AOA), to eyecare and eyewear companies like EssilorLuxottica, VSP Vision, Zenni Optical, EyeCare Partners, and schools like the Southern College of Optometry, the optical community has been reaching out to its own to provide support in this time of need.

To help meet the needs of doctors of optometry and optometric students, The AOA Foundation issued an emergency appeal on Sept. 30 for donations to its Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), garnering about $112,000 in contributions from AOA members, with many of the gifts coming from states where Helene struck. EssilorLuxottica advised VMAIL it will contribute $100,000 to the OFDR, and the HealthCare Alliance for Patient Safety and AOAExcel each donated $50,000 to The AOA Foundation to aid in the recovery. The foundation also announced that it was taking applications from impacted doctors and students.

 
 
A program of The AOA Foundation, OFDR serves to provide immediate financial assistance to optometrists in need, and offers grants to doctors who have been directly impacted by natural disasters. ODs can receive up to $4,000 in financial aid in as little as a week. Those in need may apply for aid here, and they may apply as an individual on behalf of a practice, receiving assistance for both their residence and practice. Individuals may also donate here.

“As I am sure all of you know, there is a huge wake (of destruction) left behind from Hurricane Helene,” said AOA Foundation president Belinda R. Starkey, OD, in an urgent appeal following Hurricane Helene. “There are many communities, practices and patients who have been horrifically impacted by this storm. We want to make sure everyone knows that there are funds available through Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief.”


AOA Foundation president Belinda R. Starkey, OD, makes an urgent appeal for disaster assistance following Hurricane Helene.


VSP Vision has ensured that every effort has been taken to help those within its network and outside it following the effects of the two recent hurricanes. The company is connecting with employees of VSP Vision, Visionworks and iCare Health Solutions in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and continues to assess the impact it has had on access to optometric services across the Southeast region of the country.


“In times of disaster, VSP Vision provides access to eyecare and eyewear, helping communities recover while supporting VSP network doctors to quickly return to caring for their patients,” said VSP vision chief communications officer Pat McNeil. “Our hearts are with all who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.” McNeil added that VSP Vision is also closely monitoring the damage from Hurricane Milton and is prepared to support employees, VSP network doctors and community members in any additional impacted regions. This could include deploying VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinics if needed. Currently, VSP Vision is offering the following relief and recovery resources:

  • VSP network doctors: Disaster relief resources are available to VSP network doctors and can be accessed by calling (800) 615-1883.

  • VSP members: VSP Vision Care members may call (800) 877-7195 to reinstate their benefits if required for eyecare and replacement glasses or contacts due to a disaster.

  • Any patient who is not a member of VSP Vision Care can call their local Red Cross to request one of VSP Vision's Eyes of Hope Disaster Relief gift certificates that are only redeemable at VSP network locations. There is a url on the gift certificate that will take the recipient to a website where they can input their preferred zip code and find a VSP network doctor that is convenient for them.

  • Employee donations: VSP Vision offers a company matching program for their employees who wish to donate to nonprofit organizations, including those providing disaster relief efforts.

   
  VM Survey to Gauge the Effects of Two Hurricanes on the Industry

Due to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the U.S., Vision Monday has launched a survey to gauge the effects of the hurricanes on the optical industry. Click here to let us know how your business has been affected by these two historic hurricanes. If your company or organization is providing disaster relief to the optical community, we want to hear from you too. Stay tuned to VMAIL for results of the survey.
 
   


 
EssilorLuxottica is also offering a strong support network to employees and customers to ensure their eyecare needs are met during this time. The company has created a dedicated relief fund to support its employees who were directly impacted by Hurricane Helene, and will also match all donations made by employees up to $500, doubling the impact their employees have made. To help independents get their practices back up and running, EssilorLuxottica will also provide support on the frame side of the business. The Luxottica Relief Program will offer extended payment terms and other support for impacted customers, who can get further information by reaching their sales representative.

To ensure customers can maintain access to eyecare, EssilorLuxottica Professional Solutions has called on independent practices located in the regions directly impacted by Helene. As part of its support, the company stated, Essilor Labs of America will be able to replace any lenses lost in the damage/floods for patients via their regular lab flow. The company will also offer extended payment terms for severely impacted practices. Further, EyeMed will expedite a pair of temporary adjustable glasses to affected members at no cost, which allow individuals to adjust for different distances and switch focus for reading, computer and distance.

Meanwhile, The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is leveraging its Changing Life Through Lenses program. Optometrists and nonprofits can access its network to request free replacement glasses for anyone in their local community who lost or damaged their eyewear due to the Hurricane. In addition, all existing or new Changing Life Through Lenses accounts can request a free frame kit at engage@onesight.org or after registering at ChangingLifeThroughLenses.org. Those needing financial assistance to obtain eyewear can reach out to the organization at engage@onesight.org. Further, patients who have lost or damaged their glasses in the hurricane can visit their local LensCrafters, Pearle Vision or Target Optical to receive a replacement pair of prescription glasses through the OneSight Voucher program. A government ID will be required to show residence in one of the impacted areas.

The Vision Source Foundation will provide financial support to impacted members and non-member ODs that allows them to operate and pay their staff until their practices are once again operational. Applications can be found here.

 
 Erica Shelton (l), optical sales consultant at ABB Optical, got a group of friends together to help provide support and money for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
At ABB Optical, when sales consultant Erica Shelton saw the impact Hurricane Helene had on Asheville, N.C., she quickly got a team together to help with the relief efforts. She and her husband, a firefighter, began collecting resources they could bring to the community. The pair quickly accumulated two truckloads worth of supplies.

“When disasters like this happen, people lose everything, and they need help from their community. It’s not just about providing things like food or water; it’s about showing them they’re not alone. If you have the ability to help, you should—it makes a huge difference in their recovery,” she said.

Her role at ABB Optical Group has helped her prepare for being quick to respond in times of crisis. She said her role as a sales consultant with the company requires problem-solving and helping people find what they require.

“That experience really helped me during the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” she said. “I’m used to organizing, communicating and finding solutions quickly, which was essential when collecting donations for the Western North Carolina community.”

Shelton said she was surprised by the response to her call for assistance. She plans on making additional trips to help ensure that the people of Asheville have the resources they need to get back on their feet again.


“The response was incredible. People were so grateful, and I was touched by how many friends, coworkers and community members wanted to help,” she said. “It was a real reminder of how much good people are capable of, especially in tough times.”

Shelton is reluctant to take credit for her efforts, instead making sure that all the people involved are recognized for the work they put into helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

“I’m proud of how everyone came together. It wasn’t just about me, it was about the collective effort of everyone who donated. Knowing that we were able to help people get back on their feet, even just a little, is something I’m really proud of,” she said.

 
At EyeCare Partners, its ECP CAREs program awards grants to team members who are in need of financial support due to a disaster event—like these recent hurricanes—or a personal hardship. The program is part of the ECP Foundation, the company’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to giving back to team members in need and creating a community across the company.

“The impact of these hurricanes are stark reminders of disasters that can profoundly affect the lives of our EyeCare Partners team members and families,” said EyeCare Partners’ CEO Chris Throckmorton. “Since its inception in 2020, our foundation’s ECP CAREs program has provided a way for colleagues to lift their team members up through immediate relief from such events—providing more than 1,300 team members support with an average grant of $900.”

 
To support those affected by the hurricanes, Zenni Optical is offering free reading glasses and sunglasses, with no shipping costs. Those who complete a donation order will receive a package of three pairs of reading glasses and one pair of sunglasses; the above form can be completed by or on behalf of an individual in need. The Zenni team will package the glasses based on the individual’s selection of reading magnification power and gender preference. Donations are limited to residents of states impacted by the hurricane, specifically North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.

 
The Southern College of Optometry, located in Memphis, Tenn., reached out to alumni in the wake of Hurricane Helene, noting, “If you experienced loss or if you know someone from the SCO family who was impacted by the recent storm, we want to hear from you—your name, location, the best way we can contact you, and potential needs you will have as you and/or your practice recover from this catastrophic event.”

The college was also in touch with state associations throughout the affected regions to identify those SCO graduates who may need help, but have been challenged to communicate their situation and needs. For those who are looking for ways to assist these ODs, the college has issued an appeal looking for individuals who may be able to assist with temporary housing, employment or equipment as its alumni “begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”

Dr. Lisa Wade, SCO Class of 1984, is helping lead SCO’s response effort. She can be reached at lwade@sco.edu or 901-326-8498.


Beth Fisher, director of alumni engagement at the Southern College of Optometry, reaches out to the school’s alumni who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.