Eyeglasses are an essential tool for vision correction, but they can be very expensive, especially if you are required to get a prescription. Fortunately, there are a number of free resources for people with low income, including prescription glasses, discounted contacts, vision care programs, and even free glasses. 

 

If you or someone you know needs a pair of prescription glasses but can’t afford them, check out Respectacle. Respectacle is a website that helps people obtain free prescription eyeglasses.   

 

Respectacle is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that uses the power of the Internet to facilitate the redistribution of quality, used eyeglasses to underserved communities worldwide.  People donate gently used glasses and they help distribute them, free of charge to anyone that needs prescription lenses. Their goal is to allow anyone who needs it, access to free eyeglasses. 

 

If you live in the United States and are needy, senior, don’t have vision insurance, or otherwise cannot afford to purchase prescription eyewear, this site may be for you. 

 

At Respectacle, glasses are donated by members of the community. They are then cleaned, categorized, and loaded into their online database based on their prescription.  These glasses are not likely to give you the same comfort, style, and quality of vision you would get from an optician who gives you a personal eye exam.  But if you are someone who cannot afford a pair of glasses, you may benefit greatly from a pair from Respectacle. 

 

Glasses from Respectable are donated by people all over the country.  They will come in all shapes and with a variety of extras such as progressive lenses, anti-scratch coatings, lens upgrades, tints, bifocals, UV protection, etc. You probably won’t know exactly what extras, if any, are included until your free glasses arrive in the mail.

 

When you are ready to order a pair of free glasses, please note that you will need to obtain an accurate eyeglass prescription from an eye care provider.  If you are over the age of 65, you can get a free eye exam from Eye Care America.

 

EyeCare America, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, provides eye care at no out-of-pocket cost to those who qualify. Under this program, if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident age 65 or older, have not seen an ophthalmologist in the last three years, and do not belong to an HMO or have veterans’ vision care, you may be eligible for free eye care services. 

 

Check now to see if you or your loved one qualifies.  If eligible, you can schedule a FREE comprehensive eye exam with a participating ophthalmologist in your area. (You can find more information about that here) 

 

Once you have a valid prescription, head to the Respectacle website. Next, click “browse” and enter your prescription. If they have a pair that matches you can request them for free. Please only use this website if you have no other means of getting life-changing vision correction.

 

In 2020 Respectable made the decision to start charging a shipping fee to receive the prescription glasses. As of today, they require a small processing fee of $5.00 to help cover the operational costs of managing and shipping free spectacles to recipients all over the world.  The funds collected from these transactions go directly toward the mission of ReSpectacle: To facilitate the re-distribution of quality, donated eyeglasses to underserved communities worldwide. 

 

Also, if you have prescription glasses that you no longer wear, please consider donating them to this awesome service.

 

TIP: If you are able to afford your own glasses or don't qualify for these free eyeglasses, check out these eyeglasses on sale while you are here and save some money!