Donated eyeglasses and eye care services will be provided free of charge to victims of the 2023 Maui wildfires, thanks to an optometrist and his son. 

The Maui fires, which began Aug. 8, 2023, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and caused about $5.5 billion in damages, according to a report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

 Graham McPartland, OD, of Maui’s Aloha Eye Care, says that the goal for he and his 15-year-old son, Liam, is to “help restore vision for individuals affected by the fires.” Aloha Eye Care provides services to those who normally cannot afford it.

Refurbishing eyewear
The McPartlands have already collected more than 1,200 pairs of glasses donated from community members and frame manufacturers.

“Liam is refurbishing 100% of the eyewear,” says Dr. McPartland, including “removing old lenses and restoring proper alignment, to passing frames through ultrasonic cleaning and replacing temples, notepads, and making other small repairs as needed.” Dr. McPartland’s other children, Brielle, age 13, Kaelon, 10, and Anderson, 8, are helping sort the frames by size and material.

Free exams
Dr. McPartland adds he will be offering free comprehensive eye exams, refractions, and retinal imaging at his clinic to those affected by the fires. Dr. McPartland says he will also be assisted by the non-profit Fresh Eyes, which provides on-site eye care services.

Dr. McPartland is also getting help from student volunteers to help assist with patient flow during the free eye exams; the students will also help distribute the refurbished eyewear. He says volunteers will come from Hawaii school districts and school districts in southern Oregon, where the McPartlands reside. Dr. McPartland splits his time between Aloha Eye Care and his Oregon practice, Central Point’s Oregon Eye & Vision Center.

Dr. McPartland anticipates 600 to 800 people affected by the fires will visit his clinic for eye care and glasses. “If demand allows us to return for a second round, we’ll continue collecting frames and return as soon as possible,” Dr. McPartland says. OM