WASHINGTON, D.C.—Liberty Sport, manufacturers of sports protective eyewear, has renewed its global partnership agreement with Special Olympics to provide key support to the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes (Opening Eyes) global vision care program. Through this renewed commitment to the eye health and vision care of individuals with intellectual disabilities, Liberty Sport will provide thousands of sports protective eyewear to participating Special Olympics athletes in an effort to ensure full protection, both on the field and off, the company said.

“Liberty Sport is proud to continue its support to the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program,” said Linda Laube, executive vice president of business development for Liberty Sport. “Through this support, we are able to show the entire industry that eye and vision protection is not a benefit for some but for all, especially those who face such difficult access issues as individuals with intellectual disabilities. We are excited to engage even more with Special Olympics throughout this next term to protect more eyes, educate more vision care professionals, and witness the transformation that the Special Olympics program provides to athletes throughout the world.”

The Opening Eyes program is part of the Special Olympics global health platform made possible by support of the Golisano Foundation and key stakeholders such as Lions Clubs International Foundation. Opening Eyes provides Special Olympics athletes with vision examinations, prescription eyewear and referrals for follow-up care for all participating athletes. The global partnership renewal, which took effect on Jan. 1, will allow more athletes with a chance to receive potentially sight-saving eyewear, while sensitizing the vision care professional community as to the importance of protecting the eyes of athletes during sports training and competition. Liberty Sport currently provides support to the Opening Eyes program in over 80 nations.

“Liberty Sport is the very first global partner of our Healthy Athletes program and one of the longest-standing relationships in the history of our health program,” added Mary Davis, acting CEO for Special Olympics. “Since 2000, Liberty Sport has consistently answered the call to action from our athletes to help them achieve their best as part of their sports participation, both safely and with style.”