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DRAPER, Utah—1-800 Contacts, the largest retailer of contact lenses in the U.S., and nonprofit EyeCare4Kids have launched Sight the World, an initiative that will utilize innovative vision care technology from 1-800 Contacts to provide free glasses and contact lenses for underserved adults and children globally. The new partnership announcement came last week on World Sight Day, an international day of awareness for the 2.5 billion people across the world who have vision impairment that could be corrected or could have been prevented.

With the critical services offered by Sight the World, those in need will now be able to utilize cutting-edge telemedicine tools to access virtual vision tests and receive glasses or contact lenses at no cost. Families will be able to browse countless styles with the same high-quality materials offered from 1-800 Contacts through both its contact lens business and glasses brand, Liingo Eyewear, the announcement noted.

"For 25 years we've worked to create a better vision industry, disrupting outdated ways of doing things in favor of providing affordable and modern access to care for consumers," 1-800 Contacts chief executive officer John Graham said in the announcement. "We are committed to improving access to eyecare with our recent investment in our 6over6 mobile eyecare technology, and this partnership with EyeCare4Kids and the launch of Sight the World are a critical part of that commitment.”

Graham also noted that 1-800 Contacts has worked closely with EyeCare4Kids for many years, with several 1-800 associates serving on the organization’s board. “We are proud to continue our support for EyeCare4Kids as we partner with them to launch Sight the World,” he added.

EyeCare4Kids has already provided more than 300,000 pairs of glasses to kids in need, due in part to the support from the 1-800 Contacts family of brands, including Liingo Eyewear and Boomerang Lenses. With the launch of Sight the World, the organization is poised to increase its impact and is committed to providing more than 3 million pairs of glasses and contact lenses worldwide.

"Since 2001, we've changed the lives of over 300,000 children and families, and that number will only continue to grow with 1-800 Contacts' support," Joseph Carbone, EyeCare4Kids' founder and chief executive, said. "Partnering with 1-800 Contacts to meet the global need for vision care felt like a natural fit to make an immediate and positive impact."

A one-time donation of $10 covers the cost of a pair of glasses for an underserved child whose family cannot afford them. To learn more and support the cause, visit the program SightTheWorld.org here.