Opening Eyes

Opening Eyes® improves the quality of life for the millions of individuals diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities by optimizing their vision, eye health and visual skills through quality eye care.  

The Opening Eyes® program also aims to educate athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of regular eye care, educate and change attitudes of eye care professionals about the vision care needs of persons with intellectual disabilities worldwide, and increase knowledge of visual and eye health needs of persons with intellectual disabilities through research. 

Opening Eyes®  is a vision and eye health screening, conducted in partnership with Lions Clubs International Foundation. Under the direction of volunteer eye care professionals,  “Opening Eyes®” is able to provide eyewear, sunglasses and goggles to Special Olympics athletes. The screening process takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes with athletes passing through various testing and education stations. Every athlete who needs vision correction is provided with a free pair of glasses and/or sports goggles.   Athletes who do not need prescription glasses receive free sunglasses.  

Opening Eyes strives to positively impact the attitudes of the optometrists, ophthalmologist, opticians, eye care professionals, along with optometry students and ophthalmology residents, who volunteer to care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.