The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine partnered with VSP Vision to provide free eye exams and glasses in underserved South Florida communities.

The joint initiative brought VSP mobile clinics and FIU Medicine’s Mobile Health Centers to communities in Miami-Dade County served by the college’s Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program (NeighborhoodHELP). Over three days, the mobile centers visited Royal Country, a mobile home park in Miami, and locations in South Miami and Hialeah. During that time, VSP performed 75 eye exams and provided a pair of glasses for those who needed them.

One of the recipients of the free service, a 37-year-old woman, said this was her first pair of glasses. “Wow! When I put the glasses on, I looked up, down, and all around and everything, the whole world is so clear.”

Others were equally grateful. “This is a beautiful project. I can’t believe this is free. My last pair of glasses many years ago was over $400, and I can see better with these glasses than those expensive ones,“ said a NeighborhoodHELP member from Hialeah.

NeighborhoodHELP provides its members free primary care, behavioral health, and social work services. In addition, partnerships like this allow it to offer other specialized services. “The FIU Clinic is such a blessing to the community. You are always finding ways to help make us healthier and happier,” said a South Miami resident who’s been with the FIU program for five years.

VSP is a vision care health insurance company. Its Eyes of Hope charitable vision initiative partners with other organizations to support increased access to vision care for adults and children in need.