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Optician Bonnie Ramirez conducts a vision screening during a free clinic, July 16, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Orlando Torres | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\nMoise Gashusho, 17, thought he was picking out some sunglasses on what was a normal Wednesday.<\/p>\n
But when he reached the autorefraction station for a computer assessment of his vision, letters went missing. Things began to blur.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He got a little nervous as his eyes started blinking and watering.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when it kicked in. Maybe I do need glasses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gashusho was one of nearly 400 people to receive free eye exams and glasses at a three-day clinic hosted by Aetna, in partnership with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. Held July 15-17 at the CVS Health Workforce Innovation and Talent Center on Avenue G, the clinic aimed to close the gap on what experts call one of the world\u2019s most overlooked health issues: uncorrected vision, according to OneSight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clinic offered full exams and, in most cases, same-day prescription glasses, often a life-changing service in underserved communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Patients came from Fort Worth Housing, Fort Worth ISD Paul Laurence Dunbar High School feeder schools, the Boys & Girls Clubs, AB Christian Learning Center and senior housing centers.<\/p>\n
Optician Bonnie Ramirez conducts a vision screening during a free clinic, July 16, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Orlando Torres | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Zach Young, program manager for OneSight, said the events are held annually, but it was the organization\u2019s first in Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After completing a series of pretests, patients sat with one of the four on-site optometrists. Depending on prescription strength, many walked away with a pair, while others will receive theirs in a few weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Young enjoys getting to know the local communities he doesn\u2019t normally visit. It feels good knowing the organization is making people\u2019s lives better by giving someone their first pair of glasses, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust seeing the smiles when they get their glasses and hearing their gratitude,\u201d Young said.<\/p>\n
Julianne Mele, director of communications for OneSight, said the clinic also raises awareness. What\u2019s unique about the program is that it assists everybody, no matter what stage they\u2019re at in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s recommended to get a full eye exam once per year, Mele said. Over 2 billion people around the world suffer from poor vision without access to basic treatment, according to Global Citizen and the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n
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Tim Morrison, CVS district pharmacy leader, helps conduct a vision screening during a free clinic on July 16, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Orlando Torres | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
From OneSite\u2019s perspective, the event has two messages, Mele said: improve people\u2019s lives and eradicate poor vision in a generation.<\/p>\n
Brad Fischer, vice president of dental, vision and supplemental health for Aetna, said teaming up with organizations is important because it gives back to the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most special part of the event is distributing the glasses, which is the last step,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cYou can see in action when somebody puts on those glasses, the vision change and improvement that they have, it\u2019s really special.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event showed a lot of love and it felt like it was from their heart, Gashusho said. It\u2019s helpful to those who don\u2019t have access to affordable vision care and it financially helps residents, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gashusho now owns his first pair of glasses. He\u2019s already thinking about how they\u2019ll fit his personal style. Glasses make a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something about people with glasses,\u201d Gashusho said. \u201cLook at Harry Potter. There\u2019s a lot of great people and visionaries with glasses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gashusho held his new frames and smiled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s just something about glasses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at orlando.torres@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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