Brannan's 'Vision for All' program takes off, providing free eye care to low-income New Yorkers * Brooklyn Paper

"Council Member Justin Brannan said preliminary results of his "Vision for All" program show that expanding access to vision care can have a direct impact on quality of life and opportunity - particularly for families struggling with the city's affordability crisis. Since its debut in June 2025, over 200 New Yorkers have gained access to free eyecare, Brannan said. He introduced the bill that created the program, Local Law 84, in 2023."

""Access and lack thereof to affordable vision care is yet another example of inequity hiding in plain sight," Brannan said. "When you think about the basic needs we have, so many of which are only getting more expensive, you probably don't think of prescription glasses first. But there is overwhelming evidence that, for those affected, untreated vision problems are a major obstacle for low-income and working families striving for stability and success.""

"The initiative is operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in partnership with the Community Healthcare Network. The "Vision for All" program currently operates both mobile eye care units and several fixed sites across four boroughs, with plans to expand. Brannan was diagnosed with keratoconus - a progressive eye condition that can lead to distortion of vision - in 2016, said he understands firsthand how essential vision care can be."

Local Law 84 established a program to provide free vision testing and prescription glasses to eligible New Yorkers, including uninsured people, Medicaid enrollees, and low-income residents earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level. Since June 2025, over 200 New Yorkers have received free eyecare through "Vision for All." The program is run by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with the Community Healthcare Network and uses mobile units and fixed sites across four boroughs, with plans to expand. Council Member Justin Brannan, diagnosed with keratoconus, emphasized that affordable vision care addresses inequity, improves opportunity, and can save money for families and the healthcare system. In 2022, roughly 12% of New Yorkers lacked medical insurance.

Read at Brooklyn Paper