Transitions Optical And VSP® Vision Care Bring Free Eye Care And Eyewear To Residents In-Need In The San Francisco Area

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Transitions Optical, in partnership with VSP^® Vision Care, will visit the San Francisco area this week with a 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile vision clinic, nicknamed "Eyenstein," to provide underserved individuals at local community organizations with free eye exams and if needed, prescription eyeglasses – to underscore the importance of healthy, enhanced vision as a key component of developing the skills needed to achieve a brighter future. 

Eyenstein will visit two community organizations this week – Delancey Street Foundation on November 6^th and 7^th, and The Life Learning Academy on November 8^th and 9^th – whose missions are to assist underserved individuals, ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens, who have struggled with hardships including homelessness and substance abuse, and provide them with the necessary skills and education to work to better their lives. Prequalified individuals at both of these organizations will receive a free, comprehensive eye exam by a local VSP doctor; if prescription eyeglasses are required, they can choose eyeglass frames right onboard the clinic that will be fitted with customized Transitions^® adaptive lenses, to help enhance their vision in the short-term and protect it in the long-term, allowing them to see their best as they work toward achieving their personal and professional goals.

"It is estimated that approximately 12 million Americans have an undetected vision problem," said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical.  "Transitions Optical, along with our partner VSP, hopes to reduce this statistic particularly among children and young adults as reading and learning is so critical to success in and out of classroom, by making proper eye care and eyewear a reality for those in-need, and providing these individuals with one of the most important tools – healthy, enhanced vision – to help them achieve their goals and work toward a brighter future."

Since the inception of Eyenstein in 2010, more than 5,500 people nationwide have received comprehensive eye exams onboard the clinic and approximately 4,200 received free eyeglasses with Transitions lenses. 

Prior to visiting the San Francisco area, Eyenstein traveled across the country, making stops in cities including Chicago, Ill. and Houston, Texas, providing thousands of elementary school students in-need with free eye exams and eyeglasses, allowing them to see and perform their best both in and out of the classroom. Because one in four children has an undetected vision problem, comprehensive eye exams and proper eyewear can be critical for success during school and in the future as they work to achieve their goals. Eyenstein will conclude its 2012 tour through December, and is currently planning to visit even more underserved communities, schools and organizations next year. As part of its nationwide outreach, Transitions Optical encourages everyone to "promise" to take care of their eyes by getting regular, comprehensive eye exams and wearing proper eyewear. Because eye damage is cumulative, it is never too early or too late to begin taking care of your eyes.

To find out more about Eyenstein and how you can "promise" to care for your eyes, visit www.myeyepromise.com.  To find an eye doctor near you, visit www.transitions.com.

About the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes Clinic
Since inception, the VSP Mobile Eyes^® program has had over 1,100 VSP doctors volunteer their time participating in more than 500 events and helping over 113,000 people see more clearly.  What started as an extension of relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the program features two mobile eyecare clinics, each with two comprehensive exam rooms and full eyeglass dispensaries, which respond to disasters and assist people in need in communities throughout the U.S. In March 2010, Transitions Optical partnered with VSP Vision Care to introduce the third clinic in the Mobile Eyes fleet, Eyenstein, which has the unique feature of a finishing lab, featuring full-service lens finishing equipment, providing patients with eyeglasses on site.

SOURCE Transitions Optical