Over the past few years, discussions about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) have become increasingly prominent across many industries. In eye care, embracing diversity is a moral responsibility and a strategic benefit that can enhance patient outcomes, foster innovation, and create a more robust and sustainable workforce. This article explores how Transitions Diversity Optical Grants play a crucial role in advancing diversity and outlines the steps the industry can take to build a more inclusive and belonging-centered future.

The eye care industry, encompassing opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists, plays a crucial role in maintaining public health. However, like many other healthcare fields, the profession has historically struggled with representation. While diversity among the U.S. population continues to grow, the demographic makeup of eye care professionals has not kept pace, resulting in disparities in healthcare delivery.

Efforts to improve diversity within the profession are ongoing, with organizations such as the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP), Latino En Optometry (LEO), and Transitions Optical working to gather more data and implement strategies to enhance diversity. These initiatives aim to ensure that the profession better reflects the population it serves, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes where all patients feel a sense of belonging.

Dr. Essence Johnson, Executive Director of Black EyeCare Perspective, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these disparities. “When we talk about diversity in eye care, we’re not just discussing numbers. We’re addressing the need for an industry that truly reflects the communities we serve. Representation matters, not only because it fosters trust and understanding but also because it drives innovation, better patient care, and a sense of belonging for everyone.”

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are essential components of a thriving, forward-looking eye care industry. Here’s why DEIB matters:

One of the key players in promoting diversity in the eye care industry is Transitions Optical, a company renowned for its innovative lens technologies. Recognizing the need to foster a more diverse and inclusive eye care community, Transitions Optical has launched several initiatives, including its Diversity and Optical Educational Grant Program.

The Transitions Diversity Optical Grants are designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in optometry, ophthalmology, and opticianry. By providing financial assistance, these grants help to remove barriers to education and open doors for aspiring eye care professionals who might otherwise be unable to afford the necessary training, ensuring they feel they belong in this field.

In addition to financial support, the grants also promote awareness of the need for diversity, inclusion, and belonging in eye care. They encourage applicants to reflect on the importance of DEIB in their future careers and consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive profession where everyone feels valued.

Dr. Johnson, who has been actively involved with the Transitions Optical Diversity Advisory Board, underscores the importance of such initiatives. “We worked very hard with Transitions to create a grant that touches all of the O’s,” she says. “There are two grants available—each $5,000—for students in ophthalmology or optometry school. And while $1,000 for opticianry students may seem smaller in comparison, it often covers a significant portion, if not all, of their tuition.”

She also emphasizes the need for active participation. “It surprises me that people don’t knock down the door for these scholarship opportunities. If there’s something I wish I had when I was a student, it’s grants like these. We need to encourage students to apply and make use of these resources, so they know they belong in this field.”

So, how can the eye care industry take its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to the next level? The answer lies in a multifaceted approach that involves education, mentorship, partnerships, and ongoing advocacy.

Dr. Canto-Sims reflects on the power of mentorship and representation, sharing a personal experience that highlights the impact of these initiatives. “I had a staff member who initially wanted to be a physical therapist. But after working with us, he realized that optometry was a passion he never knew he had. He went on to graduate and chose to work in his community, serving Spanish-speaking patients—a decision that deeply moved me. It’s stories like these that show how exposure and mentorship can change lives and foster a sense of belonging.”

Collaboration and commitment are the secret sauce to achieving greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in eye care. It’s not enough for individual organizations or companies to work in isolation; the entire industry must come together to create a more inclusive and equitable future. This means sharing resources, exchanging ideas, and supporting one another’s efforts to promote DEIB.

It also requires a long-term commitment to DEIB. Diversity initiatives should not be seen as short-term projects or PR exercises but as ongoing efforts that are integral to the industry’s success. The eye care profession can build a stronger, more resilient future by staying the course and prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

As the eye care industry looks to the future, one thing is clear: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not just goals; they are necessities. By embracing DEIB, the profession can improve patient care, foster innovation, and ensure a sustainable workforce. Programs like Transitions Optical’s Diversity and Optical Educational Grant, alongside the initiatives led by organizations such as Black EyeCare Perspective and Latino En Optometry, are vital tools in this effort, helping to break down barriers and pave the way for a more inclusive industry.

Eye care professionals, opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists all have a role to play in this journey. By committing to diversity and working together, the industry can take eye care to the next level—one that is more reflective of the diverse population it serves, more innovative in its approach, and more inclusive in its opportunities.

Dr. Johnson and Dr. Canto-Sims both envision a future where the representation gap is significantly narrowed. “For Black EyeCare Perspective, we have our 13 percent promise,” Dr. Johnson shares. “That’s our legacy—to ensure that in our lifetime, we see this become a reality.”

Dr. Canto-Sims echoes this sentiment with her own goal. “Our aim is 20 percent representation for Latino En Optometry within 20 years, and with the continued support of partners like Transitions Optical, we’re on the right path to making that happen.”

To help increase diverse representation in the optical industry, Transitions, in partnership with its Diversity Advisory Board, is now accepting applications for its inaugural Diversity in Optical educational grant program until September 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Transitions will award five grants in the amount of $1,000 to applicants who are recent graduates or graduating high school seniors aspiring to attend opticianry school in the U.S. Additionally, two grants for $5,000 will be awarded to Year 1- Year 3 optometry or ophthalmology students attending an accredited U.S. school or college.

Seven grants will be awarded to U.S. based students pursuing careers in the ophthalmology, optometry, or opticianry fields. Winners will be publicly announced in September 2024. Apply Now!