Earlier this month, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation delivered free eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to residents of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The three-day clinic, which was held Nov. 10-12, 2025, at the Culebra Fine Arts Center, served 318 people in partnership with the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry.
Located 17 miles off the mainland, Culebra residents have limited access to health care and few local specialists. This forces many residents to travel to the mainland for routine eye care, which creates a barrier to vision health.
Of those examined, 94% required corrective eyewear. Using the Foundation’s onsite lens production technology, most patients received their new eyeglasses the same day. This effort aimed to remove access and affordability challenges that often delay or prevent vision care in remote or underserved communities.
Addressing Unmet Vision Needs
Becky Palm, executive director of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in North America, expressed that limited access to care remains one of the greatest barriers to good vision. “Clear sight is a basic human right that everyone deserves, no matter where they live,” she says.
This latest effort is part of the Foundation’s broader mission to eliminate uncorrected poor vision within a generation through mobile clinics and permanent vision centers worldwide. The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is investing in similar outreach events throughout North America and globally. Working with governments, non-governmental organizations, and private partners, the foundation aims to increase local access to vision care fund local programs and raise awareness of poor vision among policy makers and at a community level.
Gratitude for the Initiative
Hon. Edilberto “Junito” Romero Llovet, Mayor of Culebra was “deeply grateful” to the Foundation for bringing this vision care to residents.” Many didn’t realize just how much poor vision was affecting their daily lives until now,” he said.
Dr. Iris Cabello, dean of the Inter American University School of Optometry, was honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to impact the community. “This initiative truly reflects the purpose-driven nature of our profession. Through vision care, we have the privilege of transforming lives.”