ReSpectacle collects 900 pairs of glasses for donation drive

The ReSpectacle chapter at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine successfully collected approximately 900 pairs of used glasses during its Back to School Donation Drive. The donated eyewear will be cleaned and redistributed to individuals in need of affordable corrective lenses.

ReSpectacle, an organization founded by University of Iowa alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Lynch, currently operates 20 chapters across the United States. The initiative addresses global and domestic vision accessibility issues; according to the Warby Parker Foundation, roughly one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses, and approximately two million children in the U.S. lack access to the correct prescription.

Donations are accepted year-round, provided the glasses are not broken, missing parts, or heavily scratched. The drive utilized various drop-off locations around the Iowa City campus to facilitate community participation.