Roses The Lasik Experience Lions Club International Recycle for Sight
February 13, 2013

Roses The Lasik Experience Lions Club International Recycle for Sight

Yesterday I was talking with my co-worker, Alicia, and she brought up a great point; what am I going to do with my glasses once I have my lasik procedure done? Well luckily the optical here at Northeaster Eye Institute has already thought of that. They volunteer with the South Scranton Lions Club and their Recycle for Sight program. This is an international program where volunteers collect used eye glasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers, where they are cleaned, sorted by prescription strength and packaged. The glasses are then distributed to people in need, mostly in developing countries where there is a greater need for them.

As a glasses wearer, I know everytime my prescription has changed over the years I have had to get a new pair of glasses, leaving me with multiple pairs I don’t wear anymore. I’m sure anyone else that is a glasses wearer can definitely relate. What better thing to do than donate them to help someone else in need? There is no cost to you for donating. Here at Northeastern Eye Institute, there is a donation box conveniently in the optical department. You can also send your glasses via the postal service to the Lions Club International Headquarters.

Lions Clubs International Headquarters
Attention: Receiving Department
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA

Here are a few points from the Lion’s webpage that I thought would be beneficial when considering to donate your eyeglasses.

  • “According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses.”
  • “Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don’t have glasses. They can’t learn, because reading is difficult. They can’t work to the best of their ability, because they can’t see clearly.”
  • “It costs Lions less than US$0.08 to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone’s life.”
  • “For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others.”

I have posted a picture of all the glasses and contact lenses I won’t be using anymore. It is very rewarding to know that through my lasik procedure I now have the opportunity to help someone else improve their quality of life through their vision!

P.S. I have also posted a picture of my dog Caesar from my earlier post. I found it adorable that he is wearing an old pair of my glasses. He didn’t really like wearing them to much as you can tell! haha

I hope you enjoy following my “Lasik Experience.” -Rose : )