SMITHFIELD, R.I.— FGX International, a leading eyewear designer and marketer, announced that it has donated over 1.5 million pairs of eyewear in 2011 and 2012 to RestoringVision.org. The donation supports RestoringVision.org’s charitable efforts in developing countries throughout the world and the contribution includes a combination of non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses from FGX.

“FGX International is proud to support RestoringVision.org in supplying eyewear to individuals in developing countries,” said Alec Taylor, FGX International. “Many people who will be helped by this donation need reading glasses to perform nearby tasks such as reading and sewing that are critical to their well-being.”

The company’s donation provides an affordable solution to presbyopia and sunglasses are also important tools in the fight against cataracts and ptyergia. These conditions can be quite debilitating and affect people who live in tropical climates and work outdoors.

The eyewear provided by FGX and RestoringVision.org provides a cost-effective method of improving productivity and quality of life of the poor in the developing world. Reading glasses enable individuals to improve productivity and enable them to earn a greater income, thereby avoiding poverty. RestoringVision.org’s efforts also empowers developmentally challenged individuals in the U.S., enlisting them to sort through the different magnification strengths of reading glasses prior to distributing them to developing countries.

“This donation is remarkable,” said Mark Sachs director of RestoringVision.org. “It dramatically increases our ability to support new and larger groups in developing countries. We are no longer restricted by supply in reaching out to groups with permanent clinics in developing countries. Now, with this amazing donation of new readers, we will be able to help thousands of people remain productive and contributing members of their communities. We sincerely thank FGX for their unprecedented and generous donation in support of our program.”

According to RestoringVision.org board member Dave Chute, “Restoring Vision is one of the largest and most efficient clearinghouses for readers and sunglasses, cycling them from the developed world to the developing world.” In terms of impact, some 1.7 million readers have been dispensed to date, at almost zero cost, Chute said.

"Over a million poor people throughout the world will have their sight improved and their lives changed due to FGX's generosity," said Reade Fahs, CEO, National Vision Inc. and RestoringVision.org board member. "One can only imagine the positive ripple effect that FGX's generosity will have throughout the world. RestoringVision.org will now be able to help thousands of more optical missions due to FGX's donation."

The relationship between FGX International and RestoringVision.org will continue into 2013. FGX’s ReaderBoutique.com website has pledged to donate one pair of reading glasses to RestoringVision.org for each pair sold on the website as part of its “Pair for Pair” program.

FGX International Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses with a portfolio of established, highly recognized eyewear brands including Foster Grant, Sight Station, Magnivision, Gargoyles, Anarchy, Corinne McCormack, SolarShield and PolarEyes.

RestoringVision.org is a non-profit which sources new reading glasses and sunglasses (only) and supplies them at a nominal charge to groups going on missions to developing countries and domestic groups serving the underprivileged. Since their inception in late 2003, they have supplied over 1.7 million glasses to people around the world.