Bridging Gaps in Vision Care: Expanding Alcon’s Children’s Vision Program

Every child deserves the opportunity to See Brilliantly and thrive in the classroom. However, for many children in underserved communities, access to vision care is a significant barrier to their academic and personal success. To address this challenge, Alcon launched the Alcon Children’s Vision Program (CVP), a needs-based initiative that provides vision screenings, access to comprehensive eye exams, and prescription glasses at no cost to eligible students.
 

Building on its success in Fort Worth, Texas, Alcon recently expanded the program to Huntington, West Virginia, where there are significant unmet pediatric vision care needs. With this expansion, Alcon ensures that children in Huntington's school district, regardless of their financial situation, receive the eye care they need to excel in school and beyond.
 

Why Huntington? Building on Alcon’s Purpose of Helping People See Brilliantly 

Alcon’s leadership envisioned the Alcon CVP as more than a local initiative; they saw it as a scalable model for addressing pediatric vision disparities. Although Alcon launched the program in Fort Worth, where the North American flagship campus is located, the goal has always been to expand to areas with significant need and a strong Alcon presence. 

Huntington was a natural next step, given the unmet need in West Virginia for comprehensive vision care for students. 
Basic vision screenings are a valuable first step, but without additional support, some children may still face delays in accessing necessary follow-up care. Additionally, Huntington is home to a large Alcon manufacturing and quality site and associate population, making it an ideal location to mobilize local associates to support the program.

By expanding to Huntington, Alcon is ensuring that students receive the care they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
 

Adapting a Proven Model to New Communities

The Alcon CVP in Fort Worth provided the blueprint for the Huntington expansion, with several key takeaways informing the new site’s approach. 

Alcon supported the construction of a dedicated vision care clinic on a Fort Worth Independent School District campus, creating convenient year-round access to care for students. This clinic serves over 34,000 elementary students annually and works in partnership with Lighthouse for the Blind to provide comprehensive eye exams and glasses for children who need them.

However, Huntington’s smaller school district—with approximately 5,000 students—required an adjusted approach. Instead of building a permanent, on-site clinic, Alcon adapted the model by leveraging mobile comprehensive eye exam events and partnerships with local nonprofit partners. This approach allows Alcon to provide students with high-quality care in a manner that is more sustainable and suited to the community’s needs.

Customizing Care for Community Impact

To address local gaps in access to vision care, Alcon partnered with schools and nonprofits in Huntington to develop a proactive approach. School nurses play a crucial role in tracking students who fail vision screenings and referring them to existing care programs. Although healthcare programs like Medicaid and CHIP provide some West Virginian students resources, many continue to go unexamined and untreated for vision conditions. Alcon's no-cost care gives these students a chance to receive the essential eye care they need, ensuring they can succeed in both academics and daily life.

Educating parents and guardians on the importance of eye health is another critical component. Many families may not recognize the signs of poor vision in their children or understand the impact it can have on learning. By engaging with parents through informational materials and school events, Alcon aims to increase awareness and encourage follow-through on vision care recommendations.

Building a Culture of Service in Huntington

A key driver of the program’s success in Huntington has been the enthusiastic participation of Alcon associates. Many associates have stepped up as volunteers, undergoing training to assist with vision screenings and ensuring students receive the support they need.
 

Alcon Huntington’s General Manager, Candace Childers, has been a vocal advocate for the program, personally participating in screenings and encouraging her team to get involved. “This program is about more than just providing eye exams—it’s about empowering children to reach their full potential,” she shared. “Seeing our associates rally behind this effort and make a difference in our community has been truly inspiring.”
 

By embedding the program into the local Alcon culture and school district operations, the company is committed to maintaining it as a sustainable initiative with lasting impact. In addition to providing glasses, the program also focuses on education—teaching students, parents and teachers about proper eyewear use and the long-term benefits of vision care. Teachers report noticeable improvements in classroom performance among students who receive glasses, as clearer vision allows them to engage more fully with their lessons.
 

Vision for the Future 

While the expansion to Huntington marks a significant milestone, we have even bigger ambitions for the future of the Alcon CVP. The global leader in eye care is exploring additional expansion opportunities in both the U.S. and internationally, tailoring the care model to the specific needs of each community.

Additionally, long-term advocacy efforts aim to influence state and national policies to mandate comprehensive vision care for students—ensuring no child is left behind because they lack access to eye exams and glasses.

A Clear Vision for Every Child’s Future

The Alcon CVP is more than a healthcare initiative—it’s a commitment to transforming lives. By expanding to Huntington, Alcon is taking another crucial step in ensuring every child, regardless of background or financial situation, has the opportunity to See Brilliantly and succeed.

As Alcon continues expanding the program, the company invites educators, community leaders, and volunteers to join in the effort. By working together, we can create a future where no child’s potential is limited by untreated vision problems.

Learn more about the Alcon Children’s Vision Program here.