Supporting Healthy Vision Month by Expanding Access and Awareness in the Fields
SEE Vision Care (SVC) recently launched De Campo a Campo (From Field to Field), a new mobile outreach initiative designed to bring essential eyecare directly to agricultural fields. By offering free vision screenings and wellness bags, the program supports the health and well-being of farmworkers in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties—meeting them where they are.
Our first field visit for this initiative took place just in time for Healthy Vision Month, observed each May. By delivering care directly to workers who often lack access to regular vision services, De Campo a Campo perfectly aligns with Healthy Vision Month, raising awareness about the importance of eye health and empowering individuals to prioritize their vision as part of their overall well-being.
For this first visit, the SEE Team went to Plantel Nurseries in Santa Maria in partnership with the California Farmworker Foundation and Santa Barbara County. There, we had the privilege of meeting dedicated nursery employees, many of whom were unaware that vision care resources were available to them. The experience powerfully reaffirmed the need to bring services directly into the communities that need them most. As Anisha, our Director of Local & Domestic Programs, shared:
“By meeting people where they are, we’re not just offering services—we’re building trust, awareness, and real impact.”
Rodelio: Seeing Clearly Makes All the Difference
One of the first individuals we met was Rodelio, 42, a long-time Santa Maria resident who has worked at Plantel Nurseries for the past 14 years. He manages electrical machinery, high-precision work that requires clear vision.
“The last time I had my eyes checked was 10 years ago,” he told us. “Good vision is everything. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to see the pieces I need to do my job safely and effectively.”
Over time, he’s noticed his eyes feeling tired in the afternoons, making his work more challenging. For Rodelio, vision isn’t just essential for work—it’s vital for daily life, from driving to enjoying his favorite hobbies like bike riding and sports.
A Community Effort with California Farmworker Foundation
Jennifer Camacho, Outreach Coordinator at the California Farmworker Foundation (CFF), emphasized why initiatives like De Campo a Campo are so important. She explained that many workers may not have the time or resources to access these services otherwise:
“Bringing these resources to them, it really highlights the importance of not only vision, but their health,” said Jennifer.
Her perspective reflects the broader goals of Healthy Vision Month: ensuring that all communities, especially underserved populations, understand the importance of regular eyecare and have the opportunity to access it.
Enhancing Worker Health with Vision Care at Plantel
Tony Ramirez, Safety and Compliance Manager at Plantel Nurseries, also explained how impactful it is to offer vision care directly at the worksite. He noted that many workers may not realize they have vision issues because they haven’t had access to screenings:
“You may think you’re fine and there’s no problem, but you do not know until you do your exams,” he explained.
He also spoke on the value of collaboration, adding that it’s great to have organizations like SEE and CFF bring resources directly to farm workers at no cost and supporting them every step of the way.
At SEE, we are committed to serving low-income and uninsured individuals with compassion, professionalism, and quality care. As we expand De Campo a Campo and our other local programs, we are proud to contribute to the broader mission of Healthy Vision Month—raising awareness, reducing barriers, and helping individuals protect and preserve their sight.
We are also actively seeking volunteer optometrists to help us bring these services to more people. Volunteers perform critical eye exams, identify vision issues, and prescribe glasses—all while helping to create a lasting impact in the community.
If you are an optometrist interested in volunteering with SEE, please contact our Director of Local & Domestic Programs at anisha@seeintl.org.
Together, we can help more people see clearly—on and off the field.
