The Gift of Sight is: the student whose grades improve because he can now see to read the blackboard; the tears in a mother’s eyes when she sees her child clearly for the first time; the truck driver who can go back to work now that he can see the road signs; the look of gratitude on a parent’s face when their daughter receives a needed pair of glasses even though they could not afford them; the privilege of improving lives, one pair of eyes at a time.

Around the world, in developing and industrialized countries alike, millions of people suffer from poor vision either because they have no access to or they simply cannot afford eye care. Poor vision impedes a child's ability to learn in school and robs an adult of independence, mobility and quality of life. Give the Gift of Sight is based on the belief that clear vision is a right, not a luxury.

Founded in 1988, Give the Gift of Sight is a family of charitable programs providing free vision care and eyewear to underprivileged individuals in North America and in developing countries around the world. Sponsored by Give the Gift of Sight Foundation and Luxottica Group, these programs have helped more than six million people on five continents and in hundreds of communities across North America.

We are committed to delivering clear vision to those in need through the following:

International Missions	North American Missions
Each year, Give the Gift of Sight volunteers, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists, in partnership with Lions Clubs International members, hand-deliver eye exams and recycled eyewear to underprivileged individuals in developing countries around the world. These two-week missions are each designed to help nearly 20,000 people.	Our North American programs provide free eye care and new eyewear to underprivileged people in the U.S. and Canada through our North American and vision van missions, community Outreach, In-store programs and Hometown Day. In 2007 alone, more than 300,000 people benefited from these programs.

Events

The Gift of Sight Foundation holds three fund-raising events each year: the Eye Run For Vision 5K Run/Walk, the Par For Sight Golf Tournament and the Gift of Sight Gala. These events support our International optical missions and Vision Van missions in North America.

Ninety three cents of every dollar raised from these fund-raisers goes directly to helping someone experience clear vision.

One of our biggest annual Gift of Sight events is Sight Night. On Halloween, "ghouls" and boys spook up thousands of used glasses that are used on our international optical missions.