(PRESS RELEASE) DALLAS, TX — It is hard to believe that millions of kids will be returning to the classroom in a few weeks. Clear vision is essential for students to be successful in school, yet one in four schoolchildren has a vision impairment significant enough to affect their ability to learn. Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) wants all students to have the clear vision they need and is raising awareness among school nurses, teachers and parents through its Champions for Sight and Kids Vision for Life programs.
Creating vision advocates
Being able to see clearly is especially critical for school-age children, since 80 percent of what a child learns in their first 12 years is visual. Students with undiagnosed vision impairments are three times more likely to fail a grade than children with 20/20 vision.
Teachers and school nurses are often the first adults to suspect a child may have a vision problem. “Glasses are critical to learning,” says elementary school nurse Lauren. “Clear vision is the key to everything we do at school and in life.” Champions for Sight provides free vision-related educational materials to schools for use in the classroom and at home. In a recent survey, school nurses and educators said Champions for Sight is informative and they recognize the positive impact the program has on the students.
By providing resources to nurses, teachers and parents, each one can better advocate for their students and children, making them a champion for good sight.
Providing vision care at school
It is estimated that of 80% of all vision impairment can be prevented or cured, often with a pair of glasses. EVF provides direct no-cost vision services to students at school through the Kids Vision for Life program. Mobile clinics visit local schools and provide on-site vision exams and, in many cases, finished prescription glasses the same day at no cost to the family.
“I have seen countless students receive eye exams and glasses who otherwise were unable to get them,” says Julia Mattox, a nurse with Ft. Worth ISD. “I was able to see first-hand the excitement on their faces as they were able to finally see, the improvement in class work performance, and in their overall emotional and physical wellbeing. The experience left both the students and parents so much better than had they not had this opportunity.”
Visit the EVF website to learn more about how the foundation supports schools and families to help kids be ready for the new school year.