Each pair of eyeglasses donated through the Wisconsin Lions Foundation Eyeglass Recycling Center has the potential to change someone’s life. A recent mission to Honduras provided a powerful reminder of the impact those donated glasses can have on people who otherwise may not have access to vision care.
In January 2026, a volunteer team from Sharing Resources Worldwide traveled to Siguatepeque, Honduras, continuing a long-standing partnership with the community. The mission marked the group’s 18th visit to Siguatepeque and their 20th year serving patients in Honduras. All of the eyeglasses used during the mission were supplied through the Wisconsin Lions Foundation’s Eyeglass Recycling Center.
The volunteer team included three ophthalmologists, two registered nurses, and two ocularists who specialize in fitting eyeglasses. All volunteers covered their own airfare and lodging costs in order to participate in the mission. Most of the team members traveled from Wisconsin, with one doctor joining the group from Montana.
During the five-day clinic, the team screened 328 patients of all ages, with the majority being adults. Of those seen, 228 patients needed eyeglasses to improve their vision. Thanks to the availability of recycled glasses, many were able to leave the clinic seeing more clearly the same day.
Among the patients served:
- 96 individuals received bifocals
- 69 received distance glasses
- 13 received both distance glasses and reading glasses
The largest group of patients was between the ages of 40 and 70, accounting for 162 individuals, though patients ranged widely in age. The oldest patient seen was 89 years old.
For many patients, the clinic also provided an important opportunity to identify other eye health concerns. Five adults were referred to a local clinic for cataract treatment, and three adults were referred for glaucoma care. Several patients received medication for eye conditions, and many were provided artificial tears to relieve dry eye symptoms.
Children were also part of the clinic’s outreach. Nine children were identified as needing glasses and were referred locally for fitting, with their glasses funded by Sharing Resources Worldwide. The team also identified several children with strabismus (eye misalignment) and referred them to a specialized surgical team that returned to the area in February 2026 to provide corrective procedures.
There is no charge for any of the services provided during the mission. If an exact prescription match is not available, the team works to find the closest possible option from the available recycled glasses. Every patient leaves the clinic with their written prescription and a pair of sunglasses.
For the volunteers serving on the mission, the eyeglasses they distribute represent far more than lenses and frames. They are the result of donations from individuals and Lions Clubs who understand that something no longer needed at home can restore independence, productivity, and quality of life for someone else across the world.
Missions like this one demonstrate the incredible reach of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation’s Eyeglass Recycling Center. Glasses donated in Wisconsin are sorted, washed, and read by a team of staff and volunteers before being shipped to organizations and missions that serve people around the world, where they become an immediate solution for someone struggling to see clearly.
The next time you place a pair of used glasses into a Lions collection bucket, remember: those glasses may one day help someone read again, return to work, or see their family clearly for the first time in years.
Click here to find a collection bucket near you.
(Photos courtesy of Mary Dowling, Sharing Resources Worldwide)
