For people who don’t have insurance or don’t have a pretty strong vision component to their insurance, the cost can keep them out of the eye doctor’s office.

But not going to the eye doctor’s office may mean that they don’t see as well as they could. And it also means that sight-stealing conditions like glaucoma won’t get diagnosed until it is too late.

A remarkable event held early this summer brought much needed vision care to nearly 400 area residents, and it did not cost them a dime.

This major vision clinic was held June 19-20 at Butler Elementary School.

It was sponsored by the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, Delta Dental of Iowa, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Prevent Blindness Iowa.

The clinic offered free comprehensive eye exams and free glasses to those who needed them.

The clinic served 386 people. Most of them, 348 people, were provided with glasses. And there were 27 people who were referred to vision specialists.

Those big numbers show the strong need for this kind of service in the Fort Dodge area.

A team of about 80 volunteers, including optometrists, opticians and other skilled providers and general helpers, conducted the clinic.

This event was the first time the clinic was held in Fort Dodge.

The clinic was undoubtedly a success, helping many of our friends and neighbors to see better.

On their behalf, we are grateful to the organizations and volunteers who made it happen. Optometrists left their regular practices and patients to be part of this effort. Other volunteers may have used vacation days to help at the clinic. We thank all of them.

And because we are sure there is still a need out there for this kind of service, we hope that a clinic just like the June event will be held in Fort Dodge again.