In March 2025, Special Olympics Chinese-Taipei athlete Ji-Hua Li arrived in Turin, Italy, brimming with excitement to compete in her first Special Olympics World Winter Games in snowshoeing. Ji-Hua knew the Games would be a transformative athletic opportunity, but beyond her goals for competition, she also had a secondary mission: improving her vision.
At 22 years old, Ji-Hua had received a vision screening just once in her life. Despite being previously diagnosed with a condition called hyperopia and receiving a prescription, she continued to experience significant difficulties with both near and far vision. Recognizing these challenges, her coach was determined to ensure Ji-Hua could get an updated vision screening by accompanying her to Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®.
The Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® vision screening is a key offering at every World Games, providing athletes with comprehensive eye health assessments, non-dilated vision screenings, and the opportunity to receive prescription eyewear, all delivered by clinical volunteers trained to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Opening Eyes is one of seven disciplines that make up Healthy Athletes, a program that has been a staple of the Games since 1997. Healthy Athletes delivers free health screenings, education, and services to athletes, and has provided over 2 million screenings while training nearly 300,000 health professionals in IDD-inclusive care. Each component of Healthy Athletes is tailored to meet the unique needs of the IDD community in a respectful, welcoming, and accessible environment.
As Ji-Hua moved through the stations, her anticipation grew as it became clear that she would be among the 60% of Special Olympics athletes attending Opening Eyes who require a new or updated prescription. Ji-Hua’s screening results confirmed that she had hyperopia, as previously diagnosed. However, the screening also revealed that she needed an astigmatism correction, providing an explanation for the combination of near and far-sightedness she experienced. After 22 years of incomplete answers to her vision problems, a solution was on the way.
Once the screening was complete, Ji-Hua was fitted for new glasses at no cost. This generosity came from Special Olympics Global Partners: Safilo, donating frames, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, providing lenses, and Lions Clubs International Foundation, providing clinical volunteers. Beyond Turin, Lions volunteers also play a vital role in the success of Special Olympics initiatives around the world. They bring their commitment, time and energy, as well as their advocacy and community spirit, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment for every athlete.
In the days following Opening Eyes, as Ji-Hua geared up for competition, her new prescription glasses were being fabricated and prepared for shipment to Chinese Taipei. These glasses will be used in both daily life and training, as she sets her sights on the next World Winter Games Switzerland 2029!
Ji-Hua’s journey to improved vision through Opening Eyes reflects the stories of many other Special Olympics athletes and demonstrates the unmet vision care needs of many people with IDD. Of the 331 vision screenings performed in Turin over just three days of Healthy Athletes screenings, 150 pairs of prescription eyewear were distributed, and an additional 24 referrals were made for follow-up vision care. For many athletes, Opening Eyes provides the first or only accessible entry point into vision care; 13% of athletes have never had an eye exam and 17% present an ocular health abnormality.
Through providing routine vision screenings to athletes like Ji-Hua, Special Olympics is working to close the gap in care that so many people with IDD face due to the inaccessibility of health systems. Beyond providing screenings and prescriptions, Healthy Athletes aims to make athletes feel heard and empowered in advocating for their personal health needs.
After completing Opening Eyes, Ji-Hua’s empowerment was clear, as she shared, “I am very happy to receive new glasses. This program helped me get new glasses to have good eyesight. My glasses will help me compete because I can see better.”
Opening Eyes, and its impact on athletes like Ji-Hua, would not be possible without the dedication of thousands of eye care professionals who volunteer their expertise to bring this program to life in communities around the world. These volunteers provide essential vision care and help open doors to greater opportunities and independence for Special Olympics athletes. By participating in Opening Eyes, clinicians make vision care accessible, and help athletes see the world more clearly, both literally and figuratively.
As Ji-Hua returns home, she carries not just the memories of her first World Games, but the promise of a brighter, clearer future.
