Specsavers to offer free eye checks and glasses to homeless people in Edinburgh over festive period

Specsavers will offer free eye checks and glasses to homeless people in Edinburgh over the festive period.

Special clinics will take place at the Vision Care for Homeless People’s clinic, based at the Edinburgh Crisis Skylight facility on the Cannongate, on Monday, December 16, and Monday, January 6.

The opticians has pledged to support people experiencing homelessness by offering free eye exams and glasses to Big Issue vendors and other people in need.

It comes after the number of homelessness cases surged to a record high and figures revealed that more than 240 homeless people died in Scotland last year.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) said an estimated 242 people died in 2023, just two less than the 244 who died in 2022.

Michael O’Kane, volunteer and clinical director at Specsavers at Cameron Toll and Morningside, says: “Every day, we witness the life changing power of improved vision of people’s quality of life.

“A simple pair of glasses or timely eye care can mean the difference between navigating the world with confidence or struggling with daily tasks.

“For people facing homelessness here in Edinburgh and across the UK, accessing this basic yet life-changing care is often fraught with barriers – whether due to cost, social reasons, lack of documentation, or access to facilities.

“By partnering with Crisis at Christmas again this year, we’re taking a meaningful step towards breaking down these obstacles.

“Last year’s clinics were hugely successful, and so I’m calling on my fellow optometrists and optical colleagues to volunteer their time to help make a real difference this Christmas.”

Specsavers is collaborating with Vision Care for Homeless People to create long-term solutions to remove healthcare barriers for people who are experiencing homelessness throughout Scotland.

Matt Downie, crisis chief executive, added: “We know that people facing homelessness meet significant barriers when trying to access the healthcare they need and can go years without having an eye test, putting them at risk of developing serious eye health conditions.

“Being able to connect the people we support at Christmas to vital health care services plays a huge part in someone’s first step out of homelessness. That is why we’re incredibly grateful to be working with Specsavers to deliver much needed eye tests and advice.”