optical Prime is both the name of our mobile eye clinic and our vision care program.
It is our solution to provide communities in need with access to quality eye care.

Vision impairment is one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children. With 80% of learning being visual, early detection and treatment of vision impairments plays a significant role in the success of a child’s academic career.

Nationally, 40% of children who fail a vision screening never see an eye doctor. The most common reasons reported by parents are unmanageable cost and lack of transportation. This is where half Helen comes in. By providing services to children directly at their schools, we eliminate the two most common barriers to eye care.

In 2019, half Helen expanded to provide optometry  services in the form of a “pop-up” clinic. The half Helen team works with schools to identify children that have failed their vision screening. These students are examined by a board licensed optometrist who provides a comprehensive eye exam and prescription for glasses, when necessary. Clinics are conducted at no cost to the school, students, or their families. At half Helen, we believe that everyone should have access to high-quality eye care.

In August of 2021, half Helen launched care on  a mobile tiny house featuring two exam lanes to replace it’s “pop-up” clinics. This upgraded clinic program increases half Helen’s capacity to serve multiple children at once and expand care to additional schools. To learn more about optical Prime’s journey, check out our blog.