RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—After their pilot partnership last year, VSP Global reports it will partner for the second year in a row with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to bring access to eyecare and eyewear for people who need it most. The two organizations will identify five cities which VSP’s mobile eyecare clinics will visit in outreach events where qualifying adults and children will receive no-cost comprehensive eye exams from a local VSP member optometrist, and prescription eyewear if needed.

“Thanks to the tireless dedication and generosity of VSP member optometrists many more thousands of people will receive the eyecare they need in order to live a more confident, productive and fuller life,” said Jim McGrann, president and CEO of VSP Global.

More than 45 million households in the U.S. don’t have access to vision insurance. Without glasses, adults might have a harder time filling out job applications, performing in the workplace, and completing other everyday tasks. Healthy vision is essential to a child’s ability to learn and achieve their academic potential, as well as to play sports and other activities, VSP’s announcement pointed out.

“Mayors share a responsibility for the health and well-being of their communities, which includes ensuring residents have access to vital health care services like vision care,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director, U. S. Conference of Mayors. “We witnessed the impact we were able to have in partnership with VSP and local VSP member optometrists in communities in need and are excited to be able to continue to fulfill that civic duty while making a difference in people’s lives.”