Duluth, Ga.—National Vision Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, has announced that its annual scholarship program is open for entries, giving eligible optometry students the chance to win up to $7,500, the largest scholarship amount yet for the program. In the program’s seventh year, National Vision has challenged students to share their perspective on “The Importance of Affordable Primary Eyecare in a Changing Health Care Environment.” Third- and fourth-year optometry students may submit written or video essays on the topic, offering their take on how to ensure underserved Americans continue to have access to this basic and essential health care need in a world where the costs of eye exams, eyewear and health care services are ever-increasing.

“Millions of Americans cannot afford a basic eye exam and we are working to change that,” Alex Louw, National Vision’s chief medical officer, said in the announcement. “Primary care optometrists are on the front lines of patient care, including those practicing within the National Vision Doctor of Optometry network. Ensuring these critical exams remain affordable and accessible to patients is our top priority, and it’s our belief that every future optometrist should share that same commitment to making a difference.”

Submissions for the 2021-2022 scholarship program are open via National Vision’s scholarship program portal to students in good standing with an optometry school in the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada. Beyond the first-place $7,500 scholarship, entrants are eligible to win two runner-up scholarships of $2,500 each.

Within the written or short video essays, students are encouraged to include specific steps they can take through their future profession to be part of the solution and extend affordability of eyecare to more patients.
 
To qualify, entries must be submitted no later than Feb. 15, 2022. Winners will be announced by April 1, 2022. Additional information about the program and entry requirements is available on the portal, hosted through Eyes On Eyecare, via a collaborative partnership.