About Us

Our Mission:

To protect eyes around the world from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

Areas of focus:

1. Collecting and redistributing gently-used or new sunglasses to people who cannot afford them.

2. Educating people about the importance of protecting their eyes from harmful UV rays.

How did we get started?

     On October 17, 2009, Sara Schairer volunteered at an ophthalmology clinic in Tecate, Mexico, through the non-profit organization Flying Samaritans.
     During her day in Tecate, she observed a few things:
1. it was painfully bright outside in the sun,
2. none of the patients or patients' family members wore sunglasses, and
3. many of the surgeries performed at the clinic corrected ocular issues related to sun damage (cataracts and pterygia, mainly).
     The clinic was well-stocked with used prescription glasses that had been donated through the San Diego Lions Club. Because Schairer is an ophthalmology pharmaceutical sales representative, she had seen many donation centers for used prescription glasses throughout her southern California territory.
     But, she'd never noticed anyone collecting sunglasses.
     Schairer had the idea that through collecting used sunglasses, she could help prevent ocular damage caused by UV rays. Through Sunglasses for the Masses, she hopes to distribute the donated sunglasses worldwide to people who cannot afford them and also plans to educate people about the importance of protecting their eyes from the sun.
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