Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Today is Vision Awareness Day

Gov. Roy Barnes has proclaimed Sept. 26 Children's Vision Awareness Day in Georgia. Prevent Blindness Georgia staff and volunteers and eye care professionals from cosponsor Vision Service Plan are to gather on the steps of the South Wing of the State Capitol to make the public aware of the importance of vision screenings for young children.

At 10 a.m. Prevent Blindness Georgia will perform vision screenings for children from the Early Childhood Development Head Start. At an 11 a.m. press conference the General Assembly will be recognized for its support of vision screening for children and Prevent Blindness Georgia will recognize Vision Service Plan for its Sight for Students charity program.

"One out of four school-aged children has a vision problem, making vision problems the leading handicap of childhood," said Jenny Pomeroy, president of Prevent Blindness Georgia. "If we can give children vision screenings all through the school years, students with possible vision problems can be found and referred for a complete eye exam. Then we can provide the eyeglasses or treatment needed for children to perform well in school and on the playing field."

Prevent Blindness Georgia offers training for school nurses and volunteers to be certified to perform vision screenings, using the most effective methods possible and following all Georgia guidelines. In addition, four-year-old, prekindergarten children can be screened by Prevent Blindness Georgia staff and volunteers at no cost to the school. This school year Prevent Blindness Georgia will vision screen 20,000 four-year-old children in Georgia.

If a child needs an eye exam and the family does not have insurance and cannot afford to pay, Prevent Blindness Georgia currently provides free eye exams through a partnership with Vision Service Plan's Sight for Students charity program. The Sight for Students program is part of the America's Promise initiative. Families or schools should contact Prevent Blindness Georgia to qualify. Call 800-477-4448 for more information.