Making a Difference: Ophthalmologist hands out glasses

Local eye doctor is making a difference

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – On Wednesday evening, about 200 homeless people gather on Fort Lauderdale Beach to enjoy a meal provided by Arnold Abbott's organization Love Thy Neighbor.

And that's where they may also meet a local ophthalmologist, Dr. Jim Lang, along with his two kids.

They hand out dozens of pairs of glasses to the homeless who come to the area for a free meal.

"I've been so blessed in my life.  I'm healthy, my children are healthy, and I've had a great career.  And it's an opportunity for me to give back to the community," said Lang.

It started out as a way to help his kids earn community service hours, but soon he realized what a difference it was making, so he decided to continue.

Lang estimates he's given over 1,200 pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses to the homeless.

He also gives prescription glasses that have been donated by patients from his practice.  For one homeless, man he arranged a cataract surgery.

Lang hopes to train other high school students who want to earn community service hours to give out the glasses so his program can expand throughout the South Florida.