Classroom initiative expands eye health education and career awareness in schools serving Hispanic/Latino communities
Boynton Beach, FL (March 5, 2006) — Latinos en Optometry, in collaboration with Transitions Optical, today highlighted the growing national impact of Eying the Future, an educational initiative strategically distributed to schools serving predominantly Hispanic/Latino student populations to introduce students to the importance of eye health and career pathways in optometry.
Launched in 2024 through Young Minds Incorporated, a leading provider of free educational outreach programs, Eying the Future provides educators with turnkey classroom materials designed to promote vision health literacy while introducing optometry as a meaningful and impactful career.
Since its launch, the initiative has engaged thousands of educators and school-based professionals nationwide, generating more than 18,000 microsite visits and over 10,000 full program downloads, along with thousands of individual resource downloads. Continued engagement since the program’s launch reflects sustained interest and ongoing classroom integration.
Why Latino Representation in Optometry Matters
Hispanic/Latino individuals are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population, yet Latino communities face higher rates of eye-health–related chronic conditions and lower utilization of routine vision care. Gaps in early vision screening can allow problems to go undetected, affecting learning and overall well-being. At the same time, Latinos remain underrepresented in optometry, contributing to language, cultural, and access barriers that influence care. Expanding representation within the profession is an important step toward improving access and advancing health outcomes.
“Optometry is a powerful yet often underrecognized career at the intersection of science, healthcare, and community impact,” said Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President and CEO of New England College of Optometry, and co-founder and board member of Latinos en Optometry. “Eying the Future introduces students to the importance of eye health while giving educators practical tools that link classroom learning to career awareness.”
A distinguishing feature of the program is its bilingual family letter, which educators consistently describe as a bridge between classroom instruction and home engagement. By sparking conversations about eye health and career possibilities at home, the initiative reinforces health literacy and strengthens family involvement.
Program evaluation feedback demonstrates meaningful classroom integration and sustained educator engagement. Teachers reported implementing and sharing the materials while observing increased student curiosity, stronger discussions around vision care, and greater awareness of optometry as a potential career path.
“Early exposure to eye health and career possibilities can have a lasting impact,” said Arlene Barringer, Senior Marketing Manager at Transitions Optical. “We are proud to support an initiative that equips educators with meaningful tools while helping students see both the importance of vision care and the opportunities available within optometry. Programs like Eying the Future help create awareness today that can influence outcomes for years to come.”
The Eying the Future materials are available at no cost and may be downloaded directly from the program microsite ( https://ymiclassroom.com/lesson-plans/leo/). Educators, school counselors, eye care professionals, and community partners are encouraged to access and share the resources to support eye health education and introduce students to careers in optometry.
Looking Ahead
Encouraged by sustained educator participation and measurable national reach during its first two years, Latinos en Optometry and Transitions Optical continue to explore opportunities to further expand the program’s impact and introduce even more students — particularly in historically underrepresented communities — to eye health education and optometry career pathways.