IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, has partnered with eight other regional organizations to offer free vision care this September to Western North Carolina communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

In two events held Saturday, Sept. 13 in Spruce Pine and Saturday, Sept. 20 in Boone, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, Vision After Helene will provide adults and children with free health and vision screenings and follow-up examinations, as well as free reading or prescription glasses, as needed.

“All of us in Western North Carolina were affected by Helene in one way or another, and most of us know somebody who suffered severe impacts during or after the storm,” said Grant Weathers, low vision services manager at IFB’s Asheville Community Low Vision Center. “There are people who lost everything, including their eyeglasses — and nearly a year later, so many people are still feeling the effects of the storm. So, when we were approached about this idea, we immediately said yes. We wanted to give back and serve the community in whatever way we can.”

All health and vision assessments will be conducted on-site by Optometrist Dr. Alan Winsett, staff from the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Ophthalmic Medical Program, Good Samaritan Clinic, Avery County Health Department and IFB Solutions’ Mobile Exam Unit, with screening equipment and logistics planning provided by Unifour Children’s Sight Program. The Spruce Pine and Boone Lions Clubs have generously provided volunteers for both events, along with the resources to manage the financial support program that provides prescription glasses free of charge. 

The Saturday, Sept. 13 event will be held at Mayland Community College, 200 Mayland Drive in Spruce Pine, and the second event takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Watauga campus, 460 Community College Drive in Boone. Walk-in appointments are welcome during clinic hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, but pre-registration is encouraged to ensure an assessment on-site.

WNC Ruritans National will provide a food truck for volunteers and attendees, along with entertainment for attendees waiting to be examined. Plumtree Church has also partnered with Vision After Helene to help promote the program to those most in need.

Adult attendees will first complete health and eye exams — testing blood pressure, glucose, optometric pressure and refractor readings — to determine whether further evaluation is necessary. Patients with suspected visual impairments or other medical issues will be assisted on-site or referred to other free clinics in the area, depending on need. Adults who are not referred but struggle with close-range vision will be given a free pair of reading glasses, courtesy of IFB Solutions.

Children under age 18 will be assessed by a certified screener with a PlusOptix camera to determine whether additional testing is needed. Those recommended for further examination will be scheduled for a complete evaluation in IFB’s Mobile Exam Unit at the same location the following day.

After completing the evaluation, participants needing prescription lenses will be assisted through the financial aid process by a local Lions Club volunteer, who will provide a tracking form card with pick-up information for their new glasses.

Anyone unable to be examined during the event will be referred to their local Lions Club for financial assistance at an area optometrist and free glasses through the Essilor Vision Foundation.

“The purpose of this project is to offer families impacted by Hurricane Helene assistance in vision health at a time in which vision health may not be an immediate priority in their recovery,” said Lions Club member Wayne Houser, who has played an integral role in planning the Vision After Helene events. “Our partners feel that, by offering this service, it may get these families one small step closer to returning to ‘normal’ after the storm.”

Source: IFB Solutions.