Early Youth Eyecare (EYE) Community Inititiative

Helping children see the possibilities

The problem

Nearly 80 percent of early childhood learning takes place through vision. Imagine being unable to see the board or read the book in front of you at school.

Approximately 25 percent of children have vision problems significant enough to affect their performance – not only in the classroom, but also in their daily life. Children are not always aware they have a vision problem and consequently don’t alert an adult who can get them help.

Vision screening is an efficient and economical method for detecting unknown vision problems. Unfortunately, vision screening is not standard at many schools. Routine screenings have been crowded out by competing demands on school budgets and nursing priorities. As a result, many vision issues in school-aged children go undetected.

A solution

That’s where Phillips Eye Institute’s Early Youth Eyecare (EYE) Community Initiative steps in. The EYE Community Initiative strives to remove vision problems as a major roadblock to learning by providing regular vision screenings and subsequent treatment services to Minneapolis school children in kindergarten, first, third, fifth and sixth grades. In addition to providing screening services, EYE works with families to identify and remove barriers to receiving treatment – offering interpreter services, transportation, and financial support for vision care, serving over 11,000 students annually.

The response has been overwhelming – from school administrators, nurses, teachers, students and families and the community. Our award-winning program has received the Minnesota Hospital Association Community Benefit Award for Small Hospitals and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Award.

How you can help

Volunteers are needed to perform and assist with screenings through the Minneapolis Public School district. All training is provided and volunteer options are flexible. Volunteer teams are also welcome.

For more information, contact Melissa Graf, volunteer coordinator, at 612-775-8964 or Pam Ross, program director at 612-775-8968.

Donate

Donations help the EYE Community Initiative provide vision screenings and follow-up care when needed.

A special thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Richard and Jaci Lindstrom who have provided support through their EYE Spy Fund, which ensures children who need it receive necessary follow up care.