used glasses program Closure FAQs
Why was the used glasses program started?
In 1932, New Eyes founder Julia Lawrence Terry was a volunteer for the American Red Cross in New York City when she noticed that many of the applicants could not see to read their applications. She returned to work the next day with the used glasses she had solicited from her neighbors in Short Hills, New Jersey and lent the glasses to those seeking assistance. She soon realized that the frames of those used glasses were made from gold. She took the glasses to a local smelter and received money for the melt. With those proceeds, she purchased new eyeglasses for her clients. Th gold from used eyeglasses was New Eyes’ sole source of financing until the late 1970s when the supply of gold frames diminished.
However New Eyes kept receiving used glasses with plastic and metal alloy frames that could not be melted for cash. To utilize these glasses, New Eyes started its Overseas Used Glasses Program where used glasses were distributed to the poor in developing countries. The demand was great at the time as there were few other eyewear options for many developing countries.
Why have you closed the used glasses program?
The demand for used glasses has substantially decreased over the last decade for several reasons.
o Research and policy statements from global vision health organizations and peer organizations recommend that used glasses no longer be distributed in developing countries, instead advocating for more sustainable solutions such as establishing in-country vision care infrastructure. For more information about those recommendations, please visit the links below:
§ International Association to Prevent Blindness
o Used glasses have become more specific to the original user, making it difficult to match someone to a bifocal, progressive and/or astigmatic prescription pair of glasses, which constitutes the majority of the used glasses New Eyes receives.
o The availability of new inexpensive eyewear overseas allows better optical solutions for developing world populations allowing them to receive unused eyewear specific to their vision needs.
What will New Eyes do now?
New Eyes will continue its primary mission begun in 1932 - providing families in need with new prescription eyeglasses. We are focusing all our resources on our U.S. Program, providing clear vision through new glasses to financially struggling individuals here in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, 11 million people in the U.S. have visual impairment that can be corrected with eyeglasses, 84% living at or below the poverty level. There is much work to be done.
Where can I send my used glasses?
New Eyes no longer recommends recycling used glasses. Because of their very limited ability to provide clear vision for another user, they may very well have to be thrown away. Please keep in mind that eyeglasses are usually worn several times a day; many are worn all day. A pair of glasses is not a one-use disposable item. Rather it has served its purpose, in most cases, for several years.
If you would still like to recycle your glasses, you may try an internet search to find an organization who will accept your used eyeglasses.
What about the environmental effect of throwing away glasses?
New Eyes understands and shares the public’s concern about waste. However, we are a nonprofit whose mission is to provide eyeglasses so that those in need can see clearly and build better lives. The environmental aspect of recycling used eyeglasses is beyond our scope.
We encourage the public, as consumers of eyeglasses, to ask the optical industry to develop recyclable eyewear products and to ask your eye care professional about any “green” eyewear they may offer.
Why aren’t eyeglasses recyclable?
Currently, there is no way to recycle eyeglass frames because they are not made from just one type of material, unlike certain plastics, paper and cardboard. However, ask your eye care professional about recycling plastic lenses.
How can I help New Eyes now?
New Eyes depends largely on financial donations from individuals like you. You can help change struggling lives here in the United States.
Donate financially to New Eyes. Thanks to partnerships in the optical industry, a pair of new prescription eyeglasses costs New Eyes only $23 (compared to the U.S. average of $196, according to leading vision insurer VSP).
Become a monthly recurring donor providing New Eyes with critical regular income to change lives in the U.S. through clear vision
Become a member of our EyeSquad by doing peer-to-peer fundraising. Conduct fundraising campaigns on behalf of New Eyes through your networks on social media and/or email. Contact New Eyes at info@new-eyes.org for more information.
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I collected eyeglasses to send to New Eyes. Will New Eyes accept them?
No, New Eyes is no longer accepting used eyeglasses. We suggest that you do an internet search to find another organization that may accept used eyeglasses.
Will New Eyes accept contact lenses?
No, New Eyes does not accept contact lenses. Bausch & Lomb has a program that accepts them.
Will New Eyes still accept jewelry, small gift ware items and hearing aids?
New Eyes still accepts jewelry but no longer accepts small gift ware and hearing aids. .
Will New Eyes accept used optical equipment?
No, New Eyes no longer can distribute used optical equipment..
I am an optical manufacturer/distributor. Is New Eyes accepting overstock?
New Eyes is no longer accepting overstock of new product as we do not have warehouse storage. We will connect manufacturers directly with missions seeking new overstock eyewear when their need arises.
I am a member of a mission going abroad. Can New Eyes help us?
No, New Eyes no longer provides used or new eyewear to missions for distribution abroad.
I have another question. How can I contact New Eyes?
Please contact New Eyes at info@new-eyes.org.