Irvine , California ( CNN ) -- It was n't until Yash Gupta broke his glasses in taekwondo practice that he realized just how much he relied on them . His prescription was so high that he had to wait a week to get a new pair . For Gupta , then a high school freshman , those seven days were a blur . Literally . `` I just could n't see anything , '' said Gupta , now 17 . `` I could n't see in the classroom ; I would get easily distracted . ... Just basic stuff I used to do every day , I could n't do . '' Gupta 's eyes were also opened to a much larger problem . He saw on the Internet that more than 12 million children worldwide do n't have the corrective eyewear they need ( PDF ) . `` It 's just a total disadvantage for them , because ( if ) you ca n't see anything ... you definitely ca n't make the most of the education you 're being given , '' he said . `` It would be impossible for them to fully achieve their potential . `` I had this problem for one week , but these kids have these problems for their whole lives . '' So at just 14 , Gupta started Sight Learning , an organization that collects used eyeglasses from optometrists and donates them to organizations that can deliver them to children in need . Since 2011 , Gupta has donated 9,500 pairs of glasses , worth nearly $ 500,000 , to young people in Haiti , Honduras , India and Mexico . For Gupta , who has worn glasses since he was 5 years old , the idea of repurposing old eyewear made sense . Most of his family members wear glasses , and just searching his own home yielded instant results . `` I found 10 to 15 pairs just lying around the house in random drawers , '' Gupta said . He realized those glasses alone could help 10 or 15 children . So , with help from his father , Gupta set up his organization and approached local optometrists , who agreed to put out drop boxes where patients could donate their used eyeglasses after getting a new pair . `` That first interaction was really promising for me , '' he said . `` Some of ( the optometrists ) already had pairs of glasses that they had just accumulated over the years that they did n't know what to do with . '' In the past three years , Gupta has gone on numerous trips to India and Mexico , where he not only provides glasses but also assists the doctors and volunteers at eye clinics . Those who work with him see his age as an asset . `` He works hard and has great initiative , but more importantly , he brings such great energy -- and that sets the tone for everyone , '' said Dr. Greg Pearl , president of the California chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity . Gupta says that being in the field is the best part of his work . `` That dazed look the first time ( children ) get glasses , and just seeing that turn into joy and happiness ... it 's just really inspiring , '' he said . Gupta knows that the glasses he 's providing can make a big impact . `` A lot of times , these families are in poverty , '' he said . `` With a good education , you know , they can get a good job and get a good career . '' Helping others motivates Gupta , whose family immigrated to the United States from India when he was just 1 year old . `` We had a really tough time adapting , '' Gupta recalled . `` I ( am ) sympathetic to people who ( are ) struggling . '' Gupta , a senior in high school , helps fund his work by tutoring younger students after school , and he spends about 20 hours a week collecting and shipping the glasses . He plans to continue when he gets to college , and he has his eye on expanding into new territory . `` Right now , we 're partnered with organizations that do international work . But in the future , I 'd like to bring this service to inner cities in the U.S. , '' he said . Gupta has gotten a lot of attention for his work , including being honored at a White House event in July . But he says other people his age are also finding ways to give back . `` I think there 's a misconception with our generation , '' he said . `` Many of my friends are doing things to improve their communities . `` Kids are passionate and can make a difference . It 's just a matter of finding out what you care about and focusing on that . '' Want to get involved ? Check out the Sight Learning website to see how to help .
Sight Learning , 2011 , collects used eyeglasses and donates them to children in need . Since 17 , he has given out More than 12 million pairs of glasses worth nearly $ 500,000 . Report : 9,500 children do n't have the corrective eyewear they need .