In the eastern suburbs of Rome, free eye exams will be offered to vulnerable and marginalized individuals from March 31 to April 16, 2025, thanks to a special stop of the Giornate della Vista—a visual health project by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. This initiative marks the launch of the first ophthalmology clinic set up for the Holy Jubilee 2025.
The clinic will be hosted at the Civil Protection Headquarters in Tor Bella Monaca (Via di Gagliano del Capo, 30, Rome), where nearly 1,000 individuals living in poverty, social exclusion, or fragile health conditions will receive free vision care.
The clinic site is provided by Municipality VI of the City of Rome, which is actively involved in scheduling appointments by mobilizing its network of local charities to reach the most vulnerable members of the community.
“Prevention and teamwork are two founding principles of our National Civil Protection Service,” said Fabio Ciciliano, Head of the Civil Protection Department. “I see both of these values strongly represented in this project, which brings together volunteers, public institutions, and private organizations. That’s why I’m especially proud that the first ophthalmology clinic of this Jubilee initiative is hosted at one of our Civil Protection centers.”
“The Giornate della Vista continue our commitment to prevention in the Municipality of Rome VI – Le Torri,” added Nicola Franco, President of Municipality VI. “After screening over 500 children for amblyopia, we welcome this initiative that will provide free and thorough eye checks to our most disadvantaged residents. We thank the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation for their generous support and hope this initiative will become a recurring event.”
The team of ophthalmologists and orthoptists providing the free eye screenings includes staff from Prof. Leopoldo Spadea, Director of the Ophthalmology Unit at Policlinico Umberto I, and Prof. Carlo Nucci, Head of Ophthalmology at the Tor Vergata University Hospital.
Based on medical prescriptions, the Foundation will also donate prescription eyeglasses to patients, and all children will receive a pair of sunglasses.
“The University and the Tor Vergata Hospital are proud to support the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s mission to reach vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare,” said Prof. Carlo Nucci, Vice-Rector of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Director of its Ophthalmology Department. “A cooperation agreement has been established to involve ophthalmology residents and hospital specialists in this effort. This reflects our commitment to community engagement and underlines the role of prevention and access to care as key tools to reduce the burden of visual disabilities. Eye health campaigns have proven effective in lowering avoidable eye diseases, healthcare costs, and improving overall quality of life, social integration, and psychological well-being.”
“This important initiative involving the Ophthalmology Clinic at Policlinico Umberto I – Sapienza University of Rome,” said Prof. Leopoldo Spadea, “is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about eye health. Providing free screenings helps detect conditions that, if left untreated, could seriously affect quality of life. It also offers a strong learning opportunity for young doctors committed to serving the community, reinforcing the link between research, clinical care, and social responsibility. Promoting a culture of prevention is essential to ensuring better visual health for all.”
“Supporting underserved areas is a mission close to our hearts,” stated Andrea Rendina, Secretary General of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Italy. “These areas are not just geographic margins or movie backdrops, but places where national challenges become painfully real. Civil Protection and our Foundation are united by a shared spirit of inclusion, solidarity, and humility—values we’ve already seen in action in Caivano and now renew in this first Jubilee clinic. We’re committed to supporting the new national plan for the suburbs, alongside the dedicated eye care professionals who make it all possible.”
The Tor Bella Monaca clinic is the first of a series of clinics the Foundation will open throughout the Holy Year. Under the initiative "OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation for the Holy Jubilee 2025," the goal is to provide 2,000 free eye exams and donate approximately 1,500 pairs of prescription glasses, improving vision—and with it, lives—for those who need it most.
The initiative is sponsored by the Dicastery for Evangelization – Jubilee 2025, the Chamber of Deputies, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, the Lazio Region, the Department of Social Policies and Health of the City of Rome, and Municipality VI of the City of Rome. It also involves key organizations including Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Caritas, Pianoterra Onlus, and Associazione Insieme per l’Accoglienza.
