Bloomberg Philanthropies and Vision To Learn Announce Expansion of School-Based Vision Program in the United States
With more than 10,000 schoolchildren in Boston, Newark, Washington, D.C., and the greater Baltimore area receiving a new pair of eyeglasses last year, seven new U.S. cities and up to 50,000 students will now receive free vision screenings, eye exams, and eyeglasses
In one year, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative distributed over one million pairs of eyeglasses, conducted 6.4 million vision screenings, and performed more than 114,000 cataract surgeries globally
New York, NY – Bloomberg Philanthropies and Vision To Learn today announced an $8.4 million investment to bring school-based vision care to seven new cities across the United States during the 2026-2027 school year, helping more students receive vision screenings, eye exams, and the eyeglasses needed to see clearly, participate fully in the classroom, and succeed in school. The new cities include Bakersfield, California; Columbus, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Riverside, California; Sarasota, Florida; and Des Moines, Iowa.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that approximately 80% of learning during a child’s first 12 years is visual. Students with uncorrected vision problems are more likely to fail at least one grade, less likely to read at grade level by third grade – a milestone critical to preventing dropout – and more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. Through the school-based vision program, part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative launched in 2025 to improve access to vision care around the world, students in 11 U.S. localities will receive care to address vision problems that could stunt their academic progress.
“No child should fall behind in school because they need a pair of glasses,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and three-term mayor of New York City. “Through our Vision Initiative, we’re working to improve access to vision care around the world – and now, we’re glad to expand our support to help more children fulfill their potential.”
“Children across the country go to school every day without the glasses they need. When children go to school hungry, we feed them. We make sure they have the books and school supplies they need. Why not glasses?” said Austin Beutner, Founder of Vision To Learn. “With additional support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, we can provide tens of thousands more children with the glasses they need to succeed in school and in life.”
The expansion builds on the initiative’s success during the 2025-2026 school year, when more than 10,000 pairs of glasses were distributed to children across Boston, Baltimore, Maryland, and surrounding counties, Washington, D.C., and Newark. As part of this effort, which could serve up to 50,000 students, Warby Parker will also provide eyeglasses in select locations through its Pupils Project program.
“Too many children across the U.S. don’t have access to the glasses they need,” said Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker. “Since 2015, we’ve worked to change that through Pupils Project, our program that works with local organizations and government agencies to give free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to schoolchildren. Over the last year, our partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies has been integral to growing the program and serving more kids. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together thus far and are excited to help even more students see clearly and thrive in the classroom this school year.”
To date, the Initiative has invested $88 million to support partners globally to distribute more than one million pairs of eyeglasses, conduct 6.4 million vision screenings, and perform more than 114,000 cataract surgeries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated one billion people globally live with untreated vision impairment, most of whom could be treated with straightforward solutions. Unaddressed vision problems can limit people’s ability to work, learn, and participate fully in their communities, while improved eyesight can support higher earnings and safer work in industries such as textiles and transportation.
For more information about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative, click here.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
About Vision To Learn
Vision To Learn, a non-profit charity, was founded in 2012 by Austin Beutner and the Beutner Family Foundation. Vision To Learn serves the needs of the hardest-to-reach children; about 90% of kids served by Vision To Learn live in poverty and about 85% are Black or Latino. Vision To Learn, the largest provider of eye care at schools in the country, has helped provide more than 4 million children with vision screenings and provided more than 820,000 with eye exams, and 685,000 with glasses, in 20 states and the District of Columbia, all at no cost to children or their families. For more information on Vision To Learn, please visit www.visiontolearn.org.
Media Contacts:
Bloomberg Philanthropies: Veronica Lewin, veronical@bloomberg.org
Vision To Learn: Allen Goldberg, allen.goldberg@visiontolearn.org
Warby Parker: Alison Weltman, ali@derris.com