For Immediate Release
August 5, 2025

Contact: David White
david@publicblueprint.com
(936) 332-1380

half Helen Eye Clinic provides local schools with vision care field trips to receive comprehensive eye exams and glasses

Austin, TX — As students prepare to go back to school, the Texas Optometric Association (TOA) is highlighting optometrists across the state who are making vision care more accessible to students. For uninsured children in the Austin area, half Helen Eye Clinic has been dedicated to providing high-quality, continuous, and cost-effective treatment. In 2024, half Helen provided 409 comprehensive eye exams to local elementary and middle school students, and in partnership with Warby Parker, provided 366 pairs of glasses to those in need. The team at half Helen hopes to expand upon these services for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

“In the last school year alone, we provided over 400 comprehensive eye exams and 366 pairs of glasses to students in Central Texas. These are more than just statistics; they represent students who can now see the board clearly, engage in class, and feel confident among their peers,” said Chelsea Elliott, Founder and Executive Director of half Helen. “I feel proud to be part of an organization that makes a difference for our kids,” finished Elliott.

In 2024, half Helen opened a brick and mortar office, where they partner with local elementary and middle schools to host vision care “field trips”, bringing students directly to the clinic for comprehensive eye exams and glasses fittings.

Prior to their brick and mortar location, half Helen served local Austin-area students via a mobile clinic program, known as optical Prime. From 2021 to 2024, the program provided 3,725 eye-exams and provided prescription eyeglasses to 3,206 students across 13 Central Texas school districts.

“Studies have shown us that 40% of children who fail their vision screening are never taken to see an eye doctor. The two main reasons are a lack of transportation or prohibitive costs,” said Beth Robinson, Executive Director of the Texas Optometric Association. “That’s why it’s so important to have programs like half Helen that partner directly with schools to eliminate these barriers,” finished Robinson.

Both children and adults should receive a comprehensive eye exam every year to support lifelong eye health and academic success. Parents can find a trusted optometrist by visiting the Texas Optometric Association’s Find a Doctor page: https://texas.aoa.org/find-a-doctor.

About half Helen Eye Clinic
The half Helen Foundation was founded in 2013 by Chelsea Elliott as a mission to provide vision and hearing screenings to underserved children to promote early detection. After following a path of advocacy and expanding access to preventive screenings, Elliott’s establishment of the half Helen Foundation has led to screenings for over 68,000 children.

About the Texas Optometric Association
Founded in 1900, The Texas Optometric Association (TOA) represents more than 5,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students, and optometric technicians across the State of Texas. The TOA advocates for the profession of optometry at every level and works to advance excellence in eye care for every Texan

To learn more about the program or to schedule an interview, contact David White at the information above.