Hogeschool Utrecht and the Gemeente Utrecht will also provide free eye examinations and children’s glasses in 2026.
Hogeschool Utrecht and the Gemeente Utrecht are extending their collaboration to provide children from families with a U-pas with a free eye examination and, if needed, free glasses. In the Netherlands, one in five children under the age of 18 needs glasses, amounting to around 634,000 children. Unfortunately, children’s glasses are usually not reimbursed and are unaffordable for many families. At the same time, both practical experience and research show that providing free glasses for children not only promotes equal opportunities, but also yields social and financial returns in the long term.
Reimbursement under the Health Insurance Act would be a logical step, given the clear societal benefits. Until this is formally arranged, local schemes such as this one offer an effective alternative with an immediate impact on equal opportunities.
Lizet van Ewijk, Associate Professor and one of the programme leads of HU GEZOND&WEL at Hogeschool Utrecht, says: “I am pleased that the importance of our project for children and society is being recognised and that we can continue it. By extending this collaborative project, we create a win-win situation: we reach more children, students gain hands-on learning experience, and we demonstrate that investing in children’s glasses leads to equal opportunities as well as societal value. Research shows that every euro invested in children’s glasses generates at least three to five euros in societal benefits, through improved school performance, fewer grade retentions, and lower healthcare costs.”
Alderman Linda Voortman (Work and Income) adds: “No child should be hindered in their development because there is not enough money at home. An eye test and properly fitted glasses can make the difference between falling behind and having opportunities. That is why it is essential that children from low-income families can access this support without barriers. It is good that we have been able to continue the valuable collaboration between the Municipality of Utrecht and Hogeschool Utrecht, giving children a strong start.”
Results so far
Since the launch of the glasses project by Hogeschool Utrecht and the Gemeente Utrecht in early 2025, 113 children have been examined at the HU GEZOND&WEL Centre and 92 children have received glasses. More than one third of these children previously did not have glasses, even though they needed them. According to their parents, glasses would not have been affordable without this scheme.
Research by the Ministry of Health
A research report published last week by the Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport shows that thousands of children in the Netherlands do not have glasses despite needing them, and that tens of thousands of children wear glasses that are not suitable for them.
The study, commissioned by the Ministry, was conducted with the involvement of scientists from the ophthalmology sector and several organisations, including Mirjam van Tilborg and Lizet van Ewijk from Hogeschool Utrecht.