Every December since its founding in 2007, Eyecare Essentials has provided free eye exams and glasses for underprivileged children and adults through its nonprofit Gift of Sight program. Located at the Shops at the Galleria in Bee Cave, the optometry office has helped more than 200 patients over the past 10 years with its Gift of Sight event, which is held the first Tuesday of each December, said Laura Fairbanks, vice president and co-founder of Eyecare Essentials. Local service organizations, schools, churches and nonprofits refer patients to the Gift of Sight program. Gift of Sight has helped patients from ages 5-80, she said. “Some of these people have not had a prescription update in years,” Fairbanks said. “They may have been living without a correct prescription, which really can be harmful if a person can’t see correctly. We’ve had people literally just break down and cry in our office and say, ‘This is the nicest Christmas present I’m going to get this year.’” Dr. Nolan Barit, the optometrist at Eyecare Essentials, said he expects to see around 20 patients this December. During the eye exams, he makes sure patients’ prescriptions are up-to-date and looks for eye disorders, such as cataracts, he said. “Some of these people really need help,” Barit said. “They’re applying for jobs, or they need the glasses for driving. Pretty much everyone leaves with a pair of glasses.” If Barit discovers an eye condition that requires surgery he will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist, who will also provide the service free of charge. “I think it’s important just to give back to the community,” he said. “It’s also important for our employees to know that it’s not all about business and making money. We like to focus on helping people.” The Gift of Sight program is not limited to one day a year, Fairbanks said, as Eyecare Essentials maintains relationships with local school nurses who will refer economically disadvantaged students to the office.