Eyecare companies are helping to support people impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
They are among a number of organisations and businesses that have come together to provide relief and support for the displaced victims.
According to a report in Eyes On, that includes CooperVision, which implemented a Patient Emergency Relief Program to assist eyecare professionals (ECPs) and their patients who have been impacted, as well as several other eyecare companies.
More than 20,000 hectares have been burned in Southern California, as a result of the wildfires, with close to 30 people killed and thousands of houses and structures destroyed.
To help those displaced and many others affected, the Los Angeles County Optometric Society, working with the California Optometric Association, has organised donations of eyecare supplies and emergency care for displaced residents and first-responders.
Since then, CooperVision has implemented its Patient Emergency Relief Program to assist ECPs and their patients who have been impacted by the wildfires.
Other eyecare companies are pitching in as well.
According to Eyes On, Alcon and its foundation Alcon Cares are also reported to be supporting first-responders and impacted residents with eyecare supply donations to local non-profit organisations, including:
- Artificial tears
- Lid wipes
- Saline solution
- Eye drops
- Contact lenses and solution
And Bausch + Lomb issued a statement earlier this month on its efforts to offer relief, stating in part:
“Through the Bausch Foundation we’re in the process of donating eye drops and eye wash to support firefighters, residents, and others affected by the devastating fires.”
Also, EssilorLuxottica has reportedly activated its Give-a-Day program for its employees, in which they can donate their paid time off (PTO) to colleagues who may have used their PTO during the wildfires
It has also launched a fund-matching fundraiser via Members Trust Federal Credit Union to match funds contributed by employees to assist colleagues; implemented its disaster relief program for customers in the LA area, providing services such as more flexible commercial terms and replacement lenses; via its OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, is using its Changing Life Through Lenses and OneSight Voucher programs so optometrists and nonprofits can use its network to request free replacement glasses for residents.
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