CLAY COUNTY – As Rotary members arrived at a Salvation Army center in the sunny Grand Bahama, they were met with a sight.

Hundreds of citizens wrapped around the building. Some had been standing for hours. 

What were they waiting for? The chance to see.

In a partnership with the Rosani Lens Project and Bahamas Rotary Clubs, four local rotaries–the Rotary Club of Fleming Island, the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs, the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Orange Park Noon – traveled to the city of Freeport early last month to provide vision tests and glasses to those who needed it the most.

The program, which ophthalmologist Dr. Benjamin Thomas founded in 2019, aims to expand children and adult access to vision care globally.

According to the organization, 150 million people can’t see, and sometimes glasses are all they need. 

From Feb. 4 to Feb. 9, the group volunteered, giving eye exams and creating personalized glasses on-site – all for free. 

Fleming Island Rotary Club member Randy Robb said for the last three years that they’ve participated, the experience has been unlike anything he has seen. 

"Everybody who's ever been wants to go back, every single person, because of how rewarding it is," Robb said.

During the open clinic, each person 13 years of age or older, was given a simple eye test, using a vision chart. Covering one eye with a hand, the patients were directed to call out each letter they saw. If they were below 2030 vision, they moved on to the portable eye tester to get a better look at what was needed. 

The numbers they received on that machine matched with the numbers on the lenses, providing an easy way to customize their glasses. From there, rotary members popped in the lens on a pair of neutral-fitting frames and retested the patient with new glasses on. 

 Robb said the results showed massive improvement. 

“It’s almost miracles,” Robb said. 

The partnership began back in 2022 after Robb said other members got involved following a presentation at a club meeting.

The first time they participated, he said, they only had 100 glasses and about 40 readers to give out. 

The demand was palpable. Hundreds showed up, but they didn’t have nearly enough. 

The next year, they went with 200 glasses and 400 readers. He said they went through almost all of them.

Robb said this is because vision care is scarce there due to the costs.

In the Bahamas, revenue comes from imports. Without property taxes, income taxes or even sales taxes, everything is based on consumption. 

This makes the costs of glasses go through the roof. 

Robb said Grand Bahama only has two optometrists in total, making it hard for some to obtain an appointment.

“Optometry and ophthalmology is very scarce in the Bahamas,” said Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs member Rianna Barbary. “Which is why what we’re doing is so important, because they don’t have [an] eye doctor on every corner there.” 

Another concerning factor: the sun.

Although the Caribbean is well known for its bright skies, Barbary said prolonged sun exposure is linked to cataracts.

“If we take sunglasses, they go in a heartbeat,” Robb said.

As an optometric technician, Barbary works closely with vision care. She said seeing this was heartbreaking. 

“They were maybe 40, 50 years old and they said this was their first eye exam," she said. 

Her attendance on the trip was the group's first time having a professional join the cause. Helping with the project fed her passion. 

“You don’t understand [that] something as small as a pair of glasses can be life-changing,” she said. “We just take it for granted.” 

Rotary Club of Fleming Island member Preston Mangus said the look on their faces once they received the care was priceless, especially the children.

“Probably the most moving thing we do is set aside a day just for young people," he said. "So, we get a lot of students in. Ordinarily most of them, their eyesight is very good, but more than I'd expect have very bad eyesight." 

He said that tears are inevitable.

"They've never been able to read anything on the blackboard, and they get ostracized a little bit because of that," Magnus said. "And when you put those glasses on them, everybody starts crying."

Robb said it's even more heartwarming seeing and hearing of people wearing the glasses months and years later. He said it speaks to the impact the rotaries are continuing to make not only in the community but internationally.

With hundreds served, the rotaries will be headed back to the island soon again with a variety of frames and lenses to go around – and a line of people who look forward to them every year. 

If you are interested in getting involved or volunteering, email rrobb2650@gmail.com.