Community Vision is Specsavers’ national initiative, helping people who face affordability barriers access prescription glasses at no cost to them.
Delivered through more than 270 Specsavers locations across Canada, the program brings Specsavers stores and community organizations together to connect people with eyecare that can make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives, confidence, independence and future opportunities.
What is Community Vision?
Community Vision is a Specsavers program that provides prescription glasses at no cost to people facing affordability barriers. The program is delivered locally through Specsavers store partners, who work with community organizations to support people who may otherwise go without the eyecare they need.
Community organizations play an important role by identifying people who could benefit from the program and completing a referral form. From there, the local Specsavers team helps coordinate the next steps.
Why access to eyecare matters
When someone can’t access the eyecare they need, it can affect more than just their vision.
Sight plays an important role in our quality of life, supporting everyday tasks like reading, working, travelling safely, attending appointments and staying connected with others. For many people, a pair of glasses helps build confidence, independence and access to new opportunities.
But for many Canadians, cost is a major barrier to accessing eyecare. According to the Canada Eyecare Report 2025, one in three Canadians is overdue for an eye exam, and that’s primarily due to cost barriers. Community Vision was created to help remove some of those barriers and make a meaningful difference in the lives of communities across Canada.
Making an impact in communities across Canada
The Community Vision program is led by Specsavers partners across Canada, helping bring support to people where they live.
Each referral starts with a local organization that understands the needs of its community. Together, we can help more people access eyecare that supports their quality of life and helps them see what’s ahead with confidence.
Who can benefit from Community Vision?
Community Vision is designed to support people facing affordability challenges who need prescription glasses. Partner organizations identify people who may benefit in their local community and submit a Community Vision referral form on their behalf. The program supports those facing affordability barriers, regardless of insurance status.
How the program works
Community Vision comes to life through partnerships between Specsavers stores and local community organizations. Stores connect with organizations that support people facing affordability barriers and provide information about the program and referral process. Together, they help find people who may benefit from access to prescription glasses through Community Vision.
- A community organization becomes a partner.
Community organizations work with their local Specsavers store to help identify people who may benefit from the Community Vision program. - The partner organization identifies individuals in need.
The community organization then completes and submits a Community Vision referral form for eligible individuals. - The local Specsavers team coordinates next steps.
Once the referral is received, the store helps coordinate appointments directly with the patient. - The individual receives eligible prescription glasses.
Community Vision covers eligible frames and standard lenses through the program.
Partner stories
Community Vision helps Specsavers partners across Canada and organizations in their local communities support people who may otherwise go without the eyecare they need.
“It’s important for everyone to be able to afford and access eyecare and we want them to have their eyes checked on a regular basis. This is how we change lives through better sight. But, also by having a program available for those that might still not be able to afford exams and/or glasses!”
Todd Racho, Retail Partner at Meadowtown Shopping Centre
"We have a unique opportunity to make a difference and truly change somebody’s life. I was never able to do that in previous jobs. I feel so lucky to have the platform and space to be able to empower my team to make a difference and show them that this is more than just a job, and that the work we do can make such a positive impact. It gives everyone the opportunity to create meaningful change in our communities."
Seija Gilks, Retail Partner at Woodgrove Centre
These partnerships help bring better sight closer to the people who need it most, one referral at a time.
Become a Community Vision Partner Organization
If your organization supports people facing affordability barriers, Community Vision may be able to help connect eligible individuals with eyecare at no cost to them. Partner organizations help by identifying individuals who could benefit from the program and completing a referral form. Your local Specsavers team will be there to walk you through the process and answer any questions about how Community Vision works. Together, we can help more people access better sight and the opportunities that come with it.