VISION NC

VISION NC provides free eye exams to low-income, uninsured individuals in North Carolina. Eye exams are provided by North Carolina Optometric Society member optometrists who have agreed to give their time and services to help those in need.

If you are interested in becoming a VISION NC provider, click here. 

If you need an eye exam, do not have insurance and cannot afford one, work with your social worker, case worker, charitable organization or agency to submit an application on your behalf for VISION NC services.

Applicant Instructions:
To apply for VISION NC services, applicants must work with a social service agency, ie: charitable organization, social worker, case worker, community health agency to review and submit an application.   

  1. Locate a social service agency or work with a charitable organization, social worker, case worker, or community health agency in your community.
    • Local County Directory - each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency
    • Agency Contact List - this is a list of contacts that may also be able to assist you with the application process. This is not a complete list and you may work with any type of social service agency that can assist you with the application process.
  2. Contact the social service agency and explain that you are needing their assistance submitting an application for vision care services through VISION NC. Detailed instructions for your social service agent are located on the application.
  3. Work with your social service agent to verify your eligibility and submit a paper application or an online application to VISION NC. 

Social Service Agent Instructions:
Applicants require assistance from a charitable organization, social worker, case worker, community health agency in their community to submit an application on their behalf. Social service agents verify client’s eligibility and then submit an application to VISION NC.

  1. Complete a paper application or an online application with your client verifying that they are eligible for services.
  2. If you complete a paper application you can submit it by emailing it to [email protected], faxing it to (919) 977-6965, or mailing it to 3434 Edwards Mill Road, Suite 112-282 Raleigh, NC 27612. 
  3. Once the application is processed (typically within 1-2 weeks) and the applicant is determined to be eligible, the client will be matched with the closest participating VISION NC provider within a 25‐mile radius from their home.
  4. You will receive an email including the name and contact information of the provider they've been matched with for you to then share with your client. Provide a copy of this email to client within 10 days of receipt.
  5. The client calls and schedules their VISION NC appointment within 45 days.
  6. If the applicant is not eligible, or if there is not a participating provider within 25 miles, you will be notified by email. Eligible applicants will have the option to travel further than 25 miles to receive an eye exam, if possible.

Applications MUST be submitted by a social service agency. See “Applicant Instructions” section to find a social service agent.

**The VISION NC program provides free eye exams. Eyeglasses may be provided at no cost by participating providers, however this is dependent on the individual optometrist. Below are several resources if you need eyeglasses and the optometrist is unable to provide them for you.**

New Eyes - New Eyes provides a basic pair of single vision or lined bifocal lenses for individuals who have no other resources with which to obtain eyeglasses. Only social service agencies/health advocates can apply for eyeglasses on an individual’s behalf.

OneSight - Through OneSight’s OnSite Voucher Program, eligible individuals can receive glasses free of charge. You will need to work with a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (such as a school, church, Lions Club, Red Cross, or United Way) to obtain a referral letter and bring it, along with a valid prescription, to a participating Luxottica Retail Location (LensCrafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical or Pearle Vision corporate store) to receive a pair of glasses at no charge.