Healthy Eyes Healthy Children Community Grants

Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation is discontinuing the HEHC program and will not be launching a 2021-2022 grant cycle. We are incredibly grateful for the impact this program has had on children’s vision in communities across the country. The program has been a great success, and we look forward to building upon it in the future. Please know that we remain committed to children’s vision and are excited to see how we can continue to support doctors and communities.

HEHC was established in 2017 as a way to stimulate community initiatives in health promotion and prevention, while simultaneously encouraging a more comprehensive approach to the eye and vision care needs of underserved children. Since the program’s launch, HEHC grant recipients have made outstanding contributions in helping expand children’s access to comprehensive eye care. Since its inception, HEHC has administered more than 40,000 examinations, dispensed nearly 22,000 pairs of glasses in which nearly 6,500 children were first-time wearers.

On behalf of Optometry Cares and HEHC’s founding sponsor Essilor Vision Foundation, we are honored to have supported doctors of optometry and our community partners who are so passionate and committed to pediatric vision care.

Please note that recipients of the 2020-2021 grant cycle are still expected to fulfill the program’s objectives and meet reporting deadlines.

Should you have any questions, you may reach out to Optometry Cares at foundation@aoa.org.