Initiative to provide glasses for children

Dallas-One in four American children has a vision problem, and the number climbs as high as 50% in some inner-city communities. Yet, research suggests that 90% of those children do not wear glasses, according to data provided by the Essilor Vision Foundation.

As a result, the foundation recently introduced "Kids Vision For Life-Dallas Coalition," a major initiative to help children in the Dallas Independent School District (ISD) get the vision care they need to succeed in school and life. The Dallas Coalition, comprised of community leaders, organizations, and educators, intends to make sure Dallas children are not left behind academically because of vision problems.

In partnership with the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation, the Essilor Vision Foundation will provide free eye exams and glasses to children in grades one through six, who currently cannot afford vision care and do not qualify for other programs such as Medicaid. The foundation and the Lions organization will work directly with Dallas ISD nursing staff to bring the mobile Vision Coach onsite to schools for eye exams and eyeglass fittings. Students will choose from popular frames equipped with polycarbonate lenses. Through this collaboration, as many as 1,500 elementary schoolchildren will receive eye exams and glasses this year.

The innovative vision care program is being piloted at 20 Dallas ISD schools during the 2008-2009 school year with the long-term goal of expanding to school districts in Dallas-Fort Worth and across the United States.

For more information, contact the Essilor Vision Foundation by calling Audrey Reed, executive director, at 972/764-7507 or go to http://www.essilorvisionfoundation.org/.