July 16, 2020 — Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies in the industry and beyond are sharing their efforts to help eyecare professionals, and the public, weather these turbulent times.
Here, we share a roundup of some recent initiatives:

Danish eyewear company Design Eyewear Group shared various initiatives to help customers during this time, including a an upcoming social media campaign to support local businesses while remaining “safe, strong, and positive."

"Our designers have been quite busy throughout the corona period and have created a range of new, fantastic products ready for launch in late summer,” adds CEO Lars Flyvholm. "The final touch is at hand with new designs as well, due to launch in Q1 of 2021. When we finally come out of the other side of the crisis, we are confident that consumers will appreciate the fresh, new look of our gorgeous designs."

LensCrafters has launched LensCrafters Cares, an eight-week dedicated initiative (which kicked off on July 13) with OneSight. The recovery program supports communities affected by Covid-19 by providing recipients with limited means complimentary, comprehensive eye exams and glasses at LensCrafters core stores across the U.S. and Canada. OneSight will partner with local nonprofits, including Prevent Blindness, to identify people in need of vision care who will then be directed to OneSight.org to fill out an assessment form to determine eligibility. Each participating LensCrafters location will be eligible to book up to three LensCrafters Cares recipients each week, translating to the potential of impacting 22,000 patients.

Optometry Giving Sight has released a Covid-19 Relief Fund for fellow eyecare nonprofits/charities that provide services within the U.S. and Canada. The funding will award support for any one or more of the following considerations:

• To provide eye exams and low or no-cost glasses to individuals in underserved communities
• Special project funding that helps build sustainable vision care efforts
• Provide diversity and inclusion training to staff, volunteers, and board members

There is $50,000 available with a max of $5,000 per grant. Applying organizations must have a 501(c)(3) or Canadian Registered Charity status. Interested organizations can submit an electronic application here by July 31.