A new bill from the New York City Council would establish a unique program to provide free eye exams and glasses to low-income New Yorkers. The proposal, estimated to affect 1.2 million New Yorkers, will be introduced by Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn). “Basic eye care is a fundamental need, not a luxury,” Brannan said in a statement to The North Star. “The evidence is clear that bad vision leads to poor performance at school and work. So if it goes untreated — which happens often among low-income communities that cannot afford vision care — it can have long-term consequences on a person’s income and quality of life.” The health department program would cover residents with incomes up to $31,225 for a one-person...