Program helping students get vision care, glasses in New York City

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The NYC Vision Program is helping some students in need of glasses and vision care get everything they need free of cost.

"I just wanted to try a new style," said Johan Gonzalez, 9 years old.

Johan cannot see the front of the classroom without glasses. Monday, he got a brand new pair for free.

"It would help me to see better and help me do more stuff clearly," Gonzalez said.

It's clear a child cannot focus in class if he or she cannot focus on the board.

So the Department of Education offers free eye screening to every single, elementary, public school student in the city.

And if they quality, they will later get a thorough eye exam and glasses, all for free.

"Sometimes when I read the board, it looks like two of the same letters," said Luc Lamarre, 10 years old.

"Like double vision?" Eyewitness News asked.

"Yeah," Lamarre said.

"You're going to give this to your Mom and get free glasses in two weeks, delivered to school," the nurse said.

This program began 10 years ago and so far has helped 39,000 children see the board, and that's critical.

"If a child can't see because they have no glasses, they are not working to their fullest potential," said Amy Hom, the Principal of PS 1.

"What we're hoping to do here is help them with their basic needs," said Tom Phelan, Dir. NYC Vision Program.

The city brings everything and everyone to the school. It couldn't be any easier.

They even help students find the most flattering frame so these young scholars can feel good about their new gift of 20-20 vision.