New not-for-profit organization to increase eye care access for homebound Detroiters

International eyeglasses company partners with Eye Care For Detroit to provide low-cost eyewear options; announcement timed as birthday greeting for Detroit residents 

DETROIT, Mich. — Beginning Sept. 1, an estimated 40,000 homebound Detroit residents and other underserved populations in Metro Detroit will have access to low-cost, high-quality eye care through Eye Care For Detroit Inc., a new not-for-profit, and its eyewear partnership with Eyeglasses.com, an international eyeglasses company.

The partnership will qualify Eye Care For Detroit patients for reduced-cost frame options through Eyeglasses.com. As an homage to Detroit and its founding on July 24, 1701, eyeglass frames will be available for $17 or a 17.01% discount sitewide for the foreseeable future.

“Thousands of Detroit residents are at risk of preventable and treatable eye diseases due to a lack of access to care and affordable options,” said Cleamon Moorer Jr., DBA, founding executive director of Eye Care For Detroit. “Those with poor vision are more likely to experience falls, social isolation, and decreased independence. Our organization aims to eliminate the barriers and to make eye care more accessible for at-risk, aging, and marginalized populations. This incredible partnership with Eyeglasses.com will make the eyewear portion of care much more affordable.”

Founder and CEO of Eyeglasses.com Mark Agnew stepped up to provide reduced pricing on eyewear for Detroiters along with over 120 frames as samples from which patients can choose.

“When I heard about the mission of Eye Care For Detroit, I knew instantly I wanted to get involved,” said Mark Agnew, founder, and CEO of Eyeglasses.com. “After sustaining a life-changing injury that left me permanently blinded in one eye and realizing just how expensive eye care can be, I decided to dedicate my life’s work to finding easier and less costly ways to purchase eyeglasses. This collaboration is one more way Eyeglasses.com can help make affordable eye care a reality for Detroit residents.”

Eye Care For Detroit is assembling a network of licensed eye care professionals, specialists, and primary care physicians to provide accessible care that will be offered through several modes:

• Telehealth — virtual eye appointments through Eye Care For Detroit’s network.
• In-home visits — by providers equipped to perform exams and procedures inside patients' homes using portable ophthalmologic equipment.
• Mobile clinic — equipped for participating optometrists and ophthalmologists to perform routine eye exams at patients’ residences.
• Shuttle service — non-emergency transportation to eye care appointments.

Eye Care For Detroit is developing a mobile app that will allow patients, their families or caregivers to schedule eye appointments with participating health care providers. A prototype of the app won the TechTown Detroit Start Studio MVP People’s Choice Award during Demo Day 2022.

Moorer said Eye Care For Detroit is working to secure additional individual and corporate donations as well as public and private grants that will help fund:

• Recruitment and training of community health navigators (Detroit residents).
• Resident vouchers for eye care-related expenses, i.e., prescriptions and transportation.
• Continued development and maintenance of the Eye Care For Detroit app.
• An automated referral tracking system compliant with federal law restricting the release of medical information.
• Equipment and maintenance for a shuttle system to transport patients and mobile clinics.

Moorer always knew he would someday help others get the eye care they need but cannot afford. He needed to pay it forward for the care he received earlier in life. Moorer was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes and by 21, he was legally blind. His working-class family did not have the money to pay for the necessary surgery which cost $6,000 in 1997. Moorer's mother wrote a letter to what was then the Grace Guild of Sinai-Grace Hospital explaining their plight. Incredibly, the Guild covered the cost of the surgery that restored Moorer's vision.

Also inspiring Moorer to establish Eye Care For Detroit was his firsthand observation of the need for accessible health care. He and his wife, Nicole C. Willis-Moorer, operate American Advantage Home Care, headquartered in Dearborn with offices in Grand Blanc, Detroit, and Trenton.

“We’ve worked with many homebound patients in Detroit,” said Moorer. “Detroit is at the crossroads of poverty, aging, limited access to health care, healthcare inequities, and declines in health and wellness. Many eye disorders and diseases are treatable if detected early. The current system does not enable that.”

He noted a study published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 2021, called “The Vision Detroit Project” that identifies five key barriers to obtaining eye care:

·         Confusion about where to go and how to get there

·         Insurance and costs

·         Transportation

·         Not enough time

·         Dissatisfaction with a previous visit

“We want to break down as many of those barriers as possible,” said Moorer. “We encourage others to join this effort to play a more active role in creating change for the underserved in our community. I care, you care, we all need to care for the eye care of Detroit.”

More information is at www.EyeCareForDetroit.org.

About Eyeglasses.com
Eyeglasses.com is a leading online eyewear store, specializing in high-quality prescription lenses, glasses frames and sunglasses. Since 1999, the motto "Our Vision is Service" has been delivered to customers in three primary ways: 

1)      Freedom To Choose — Including a massive catalog of over 200,000 glasses frames, search-and-sort functionality and a complete "How to Buy Glasses Online Guide." 

2)      Eye Doctor Alternative — Prices that are typically 50% to 70% lower than eye doctor and optical shops for the exact same high-quality eyewear and include an easy return policy and free shipping on all orders.

3)      Perfect Lenses Guarantee ­— All lenses are USA made in the world’s best lens laboratories and include at least a one-year warranty. Replacement lens service is available for mailed-in eyeglass frames. 

More information is at www.EyeGlasses.com.

About Eye Care For Detroit
Eye Care For Detroit Inc. is committed to improving eye care outcomes of the homebound and underserved populations in Detroit. Founded in 2022, the not-for-profit organization is working to increase access to high-quality, affordable eye care by connecting patients with its network of licensed eye care professionals, specialists and primary care physicians via its app, Eye Care For Detroit. Eye Care For Detroit will facilitate mobile clinics and telehealth, in-home and in-office visits. Eye Care For Detroit is located at Durfee Innovation Society, 2470 Collingwood Street, #327, Detroit. More information is at www.EyeCareForDetroit.org or call 313.644.3233.

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Photo captions

Eye Care For Detroit-Cleamon Moorer_van.jpg — Cleamon Moorer Jr., DBA, founding executive director of Eye Care For Detroit, is transforming a van into a mobile clinic to bring eye care to the doorsteps of Detroit’s homebound and underserved populations.

Eyeglasses.com-Mark Agnew.jpg — Mark Agnew, founder and CEO of Eyeglasses.com, is partnering with Eye Care For Detroit and will offer substantially reduced-cost eyeglass frames to make eyewear more affordable for Detroit residents.