VSP Steps Up To Help After Superstorm Sandy

By Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO March 02, 2013

VSP Vision Care is a private, not-for-profit, community-based company whose mission is to help eye doctors in their quest to help people see. That commitment is in full view every day, and certainly, in times of crisis as VSP reached out to people in need after Superstorm Sandy.

Dozens of independent eye care practices were left inoperable in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. VSP immediately contacted nearly 1,000 practices to find ways in which it could be of help. Seven doctors accepted an offer to man the VSP mobile clinics to provide eye care for storm victims and to maintain an income stream for them and their staff. Nearly a dozen practices were able to leverage the support of VSP Global companies through discounted product, equipment loans, and system backups as they rebuilt.

In addition, more than 6,000 eye exams and glasses have been provided to those impacted by the storm through two VSP mobile clinics and through gift certificates distributed by the American Red Cross.

As I See It, it is all about stepping up and meeting the need. VSP is committed to independent doctors and to the patients they serve both in daily practice and in time of special need.

To date, through VSP Global community outreach programs like VSP Mobile Eyes and Sight for Students and through relationships with the American Red Cross and Prevent Blindness, VSP has invested more than $151 million in free eye care and eye wear for more than 805,000 adults and children in need throughout the United States.