1,800+ frames provided by the optical retailer supports vision care access for underserved communities in Dallas-Fort Worth
DALLAS, March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eyemart Express, a leading national optical retailer known for providing affordable, high-quality prescription eyewear, announced today a donation of 1,833 eyeglass frames to the University of Houston's College of Optometry (UHCO). The eyewear, valued at approximately $43,000, will bolster the college's outreach initiatives, providing essential vision correction to underserved populations in Dallas and Fort Worth.
The donation features a wide assortment of styles for men, women, and children. These frames will support the college's outreach efforts at the UH Community Cedar Springs Eye Clinic, one of three UHCO clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The clinics provide comprehensive eye care through referrals from UHCO's network of nonprofit partners, including The Family Place, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic in Dallas, and HHM Health.
By supplying the frames, Eyemart Express enables UHCO's Mobile Eye Institute and community clinics to provide a complete vision care solution—ensuring patients with limited financial means not only receive a comprehensive eye exam but also leave with glasses they need to work and learn.
"Clear vision should be a fundamental right, not a luxury, and we are committed to closing the gap in eye care access right here in our home state," says Katy Hanson, who is currently serving as interim co-CEO and chief marketing officer at Eyemart Express. "By partnering with the University of Houston, we are removing the final barrier to vision care for thousands of our neighbors in Texas."
UHCO is renowned for its clinical education and community service. The partnership with the national optical retailer is deeply rooted in the history of both institutions. Dr. Doug Barnes, founder of Eyemart Express, is an alum of UHCO. This latest donation continues the retailer's mission to make eye care more accessible. The college will distribute the frames across its outreach programs, ensuring patients leave with high-quality, stylish glasses regardless of their financial circumstances.
"Our community clinics are on the front lines of public health, serving patients who often have nowhere else to turn," says Dr. Andrew Archila, associate dean of clinical operations at UHCO. "This generous donation from Eyemart Express allows us to extend our vision care. Whether it is a student preparing for the new school year or a parent trying to support their family, this donation ensures they have the tools to succeed."
With 40 locations across Texas, Eyemart Express continues to expand access to eye care by delivering custom glasses the very same day. For online shoppers, the brand extends that commitment to convenience with orders produced and shipped the next day.
About Eyemart Express
Eyemart Express is more than just a local eye care provider—we are eye care experts embedded in the fabric of our local communities. Doctor-founded in 1990, our team has grown alongside our customers and their families, bringing quality and accessible eye care services to each town we serve. Partnerships with local optometrists, skilled lab specialists, and local labs enable us to deliver glasses in as little as 30 minutes in our 272 stores nationwide. We offer a seamless blend of the latest technology, comprehensive eye care, and genuine human connection to deliver glasses that are "Made Today, Shipped Tomorrow" anywhere in the United States. Eyemart Express is a VSP Vision™ company that ranks among the top optical retailers in the country with its family of brands: Vision 4 Less, Visionmart Express, and Eyewear Express. For more information about Eyemart Express, visit eyemartexpress.com.
About the University of Houston College of Optometry
Founded in 1952, the University of Houston College of Optometry is a national leader in optometric education, clinical care, and vision research. The college employs more than 200 faculty and staff who provide high-quality, accessible vision care and comprehensive medical eye care services across Texas through an extensive network of clinical training sites and community partnerships. With more than $13 million in annual research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the college is the leading academic eye and vision research institution in Texas and ranks among the top programs worldwide. The college offers the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, along with postgraduate clinical residency and fellowship programs. For more information, visit www.opt.uh.edu.
SOURCE Eyemart Express
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