Elementary School Vision Screening

In the United States millions of children in elementary schools have vision problems that go undetected and untreated. If you can’t see properly how can you function properly? Not being able to see clearly can hinder your ability to learn.

The Vision Council reported that 16 states require no school vision testing and of the schools where screening is mandatory follow-ups were not always effective and in some circumstances nonexistent.

As a school nurse you may want to do vision testing but the funds may not always be there, however, there’s hope. The Essilor Vision Foundation was created to establish teams that adopt entire schools to annually test students’ vision and provide glasses and follow-up care to those who need them for free. How awesome is that?

“The program works by having volunteers ‘adopt’ a school to provide free vision screening and free glasses for children year after year while they are in school. I personally think the program provides a tremendous service because there is absolutely no cost to the school or the students and there is an enormous need for vision testing and eyeglasses among young children” noted John Sailer, Senior Editor of First Vision Media Group who wrote the article “Kids Get Free Glasses” in the May 2009 Vision Care Venture issue.

What vision screening actions are taken at your school? Are they provided to select grades throughout the elementary years? Does the school district set aside funds for eye exams?

Sources: VisionCareVenture.com

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 9:09 am and is filed under Health Room. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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