This article for The Eye Care Advocate looks at how the charity Vision Care for Homeless People provide eye tests for those experiencing homelessness. Thank you to Aziza Kharodia – optometrist and clinic manager Vision Care for Homeless People in Gloucester for taking the time to talk to me regarding this important issue.

Why Do We Need to Consider Eye Tests for Those Experiencing Homelessness

We often say that sight is our most precious sense, but it’s a sentiment we can take for granted. For most of us, if our vision becomes blurry, a trip to the local optometrist is a straightforward solution.

But what if you couldn’t do that? What if you couldn’t afford the bus fare to get to an appointment, let alone the cost of glasses? And what if the thought of walking into a polished, high-end optical practice felt intimidating and unwelcoming?

This is the reality for thousands of vulnerable people across the UK. For those experiencing homelessness, poor vision isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a profound barrier. This barrier can stand in the way of safety, opportunity, and the path back to a stable life.

As an optometrist, I believe that the ability to see clearly is a fundamental human right, not a luxury. That’s why the work of charities like Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) is so incredibly important. They are not just providing a healthcare service; they are restoring dignity, regrowing that human connection, and giving people the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

I want to take you inside the world of VCHP, with a special focus on the incredible work being done at their clinic in Gloucester, to show you why providing eye tests for those experiencing homelessness is one of the most impactful things we can do as a community.

Introducing Vision Care for Homeless People

Vision Care for Homeless People was founded in 2003 by four optometrists who saw a critical gap in UK eye care. They recognised from their own clinical work that the most vulnerable people in our society were being failed by mainstream services.

The charity was born from a simple, powerful idea: to take professional, high-quality eye care directly to the people who need it most. They wanted to provide it in an environment where they feel safe, welcome, and respected. Their mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the ocular health of those who are experiencing homelessness and vulnerable people who are unwilling or unable to access the care they are entitled to.

This is not a stripped-down service. VCHP runs fully equipped, NHS-compliant clinics, staffed by volunteer optometrists, dispensing opticians, and trained assistants. They provide a comprehensive service that is completely free at the point of use. This includes the eye examination itself through to the provision of new spectacles.

People experiencing homelessness suffer from a significantly higher level of eye problems than the general population. VCHP’s own data shows that a staggering one in five patients seen at their clinics has an active eye disease, Moreover, 80% are in need of glasses. By breaking down the barriers to care, VCHP is tackling a hidden health crisis and making a profound difference, one patient at a time.

Understanding Homelessness and the Barriers to Care

When we think of homelessness, the image that often comes to mind is of someone sleeping on the streets. This is known as “rough sleeping,” and it is the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness. But it is only a fraction of the reality. The term “homelessness” covers a much broader spectrum of instability and vulnerability. It also includes:

Hidden Homelessness: People without a stable home who are not officially recorded, such as those “sofa surfing” between the homes of friends or family.

Temporary Accommodation: People living in hostels, B&Bs, and other short-term housing while they wait for a more permanent solution.

At Risk of Homelessness: Individuals and families who are likely to become homeless without support.

It is crucial to understand this, because it reveals a huge and diverse group of people whose unstable lives make accessing healthcare incredibly difficult. The barriers are immense.

As an optometrist, I know that the system is not built for them. The need for a fixed address and the cost of glasses are huge hurdles. The clinical, modern feel of a high street practice can be intimidating. And crucially, if a patient needs a referral to a hospital for a condition like glaucoma or cataract, the lack of a fixed address or a reliable contact number can make that process almost impossible.

These are the systemic failures that make a dedicated service providing eye tests for those experiencing homelessness so essential.

How VCHP Clinic Delivers Eye Tests for Those Experiencing Homelessness in Gloucester

The VCHP clinic in Gloucester is a perfect example of this vital work in action. Opened in April 2022, the clinic is a beacon of hope. It was born from a powerful partnership between VCHP, NHS Gloucestershire, and the Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee.

It is strategically located within the Gloucester City Mission on Eastgate Street, a trusted and frequently visited hub for the local homeless community. This co-location is a key part of the charity’s success. It places the service directly in the path of those who need it. A space where they already feel safe and supported.

The clinic runs weekly, and it is designed to be as low-barrier as possible. People can book an appointment, but they can also just drop in, offering a level of flexibility that is essential for a population whose lives are often chaotic and unpredictable.

The impact has been immediate and profound. In its early days, the clinic found that a remarkable 93-95% of the patients they saw needed and were prescribed new spectacles. Even more critically, 18% of patients required an onward referral for a more serious eye condition.

These are not just statistics; they are lives being changed and sight being saved, right here in our community. The Gloucester clinic is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to provide compassionate, targeted eye tests for those experiencing homelessness.

The Power of a Pair of Glasses: More Than Just Sight

It is hard to overstate the impact that a simple pair of glasses can have on someone’s life. I believe that taking the time to care, to listen, and to provide this fundamental tool is one of the most powerful ways we can restore a person’s sense of dignity.

When a patient who has felt invisible is finally seen and heard, the change is palpable. They light up. They feel they matter. And when you place a pair of glasses on someone who has been living in a blur, you are giving them their world back.

Clear vision is vital for escaping the cycle of homelessness. It’s the ability to read a job application form, to fill out a housing benefit claim, or to see the instructions on a medicine bottle. It’s about personal safety, being able to navigate an unfamiliar environment and recognise a friendly face from a potential threat. It’s about social connection, being able to make eye contact and feel part of a conversation.

I often hear cynical comments from people who question why we should provide eye tests for those experiencing homelessness. They say things like “help our own” or “they should get a job.” My response is always the same: this is helping our own. By giving someone the ability to see, we are giving them the tool they need to get that job, to access those services, and to lift themselves back into a valued place in society. It is an investment in our entire community.

How You Can Help Provide Eye Tests for Those Experiencing Homelessness

The work of Vision Care for Homeless People is powered by the generosity of volunteers and donors. It is a service where the only goal is to help.

For my fellow eye care professionals, I cannot recommend the experience of volunteering enough. I have met several VCHP volunteers, and they have all said how much they love it. It is a chance to practice pure, undiluted clinical care, free from any commercial pressures. You will be making a huge and immediate difference to every single patient you see. You will face new and interesting clinical challenges. Furthermore, you will be reminded of the profound reason most of us entered this profession in the first place: to help people.

For the wider public, your support is just as vital. You can make a donation to help fund the cost of providing free spectacles. You can take on a fundraising challenge to support the charity’s work. In a world where it can often feel like there is a lot of anger and division, supporting a charity like VCHP is a powerful way to make a positive, tangible difference. It is a way of showing that we are a community that cares, and that we believe everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the fundamental right to sight.

If you know of anyone who fits the broader description of homelessness, please, put them in touch with VCHP. You could change their life.

This topic was requested for by Aziza Kharodia, clinic manager and optometrist at Vision Care for Homeless People in Gloucester. Full disclosure, no payment or sponsorship was provided to create this post. However Aziza did buy me a lovely coffee as we discussed the work of VCHP in the wonderful grounds of Gloucester Cathedral.