Council Member Justin Brannan said preliminary results of his “Vision for All” program show that expanding access to vision care can have a direct impact on quality of life and opportunity — particularly for families struggling with the city’s affordability crisis.
Since its debut in June 2025, over 200 New Yorkers have gained access to free eyecare, Brannan said.
He introduced the bill that created the program, Local Law 84, in 2023. The law required that the city create a program to provide free vision testing and prescription glasses to “eligible” New Yorkers, including people who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid, or are low-income and earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level — or $39,125 per year for an individual.
The initiative is operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in partnership with the Community Healthcare Network. The “Vision for All” program currently operates both mobile eye care units and several fixed sites across four boroughs, with plans to expand.
Brannan was diagnosed with keratoconus — a progressive eye condition that can lead to distortion of vision — in 2016, said he understands firsthand how essential vision care can be. In a statement, he emphasized that investing in preventative eye health will ultimately save money for both families and the healthcare system.
“Access and lack thereof to affordable vision care is yet another example of inequity hiding in plain sight,” Brannan said. “When you think about the basic needs we have, so many of which are only getting more expensive, you probably don’t think of prescription glasses first. But there is overwhelming evidence that, for those affected, untreated vision problems are a major obstacle for low-income and working families striving for stability and success.”
In 2022, roughly 12% of New Yorkers did not have medical insurance, according to city data. Without insurance, eye exams and corrective lenses can be prohibitively expensive.
“Making sure everyone can afford a vision test and pair of glasses is about making sure all New Yorkers get a fair shake,” he added.
Appointments for free eye exams and prescription glasses can be scheduled through the Community Healthcare Network at chcnyc.info/visionforall.
