Studies show that 80% of classroom learning is visual. And most vision problems children have can be fixed with a simple pair of glasses. Unfortunately, kids in low-income and underserved communities are significantly less likely to receive the vision care they need due to persistent barriers to access.
That’s why every August, our local SEE Vision Care (SVC) team works to bring quality eyecare services to kids in need for Children’s Sight Month! During our annual Children’s Sight Month initiative, the SVC team visits local schools, youth organizations, and community events to provide eye screenings to kids and connect them with our clinics for follow-up care, which includes free comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses.
This year, we had the opportunity to speak with three young patients who received care at our Goleta clinic during Children’s Sight Month.
Meet Annie, Age 9
Nine-year-old Annie loves being outside with her friends and creating art at school. Art is her favorite subject, so when she grows up, she hopes to become an artist.
In the classroom, being able to see her schoolwork clearly helps Annie learn and keep up with her lessons. She says getting glasses has made a big difference in her everyday life, as she wasn’t able to see her assignments well without them.
“When you’re at school, you can actually learn because you can see all the problems,” Annie said when asked about why her glasses are important.
She also mentioned that clear vision helps her stay safe when she’s playing outside with her friends:
“[My glasses help me] so I don’t trip on anything.”
During her appointment at our Goleta clinic, Annie especially enjoyed trying different frames and deciding which ones she liked best. She hopes to keep learning and creating at school so she can work towards her dream of becoming an artist.
Meet Jackie, Age 14
Fourteen-year-old Jackie enjoys painting and reading books. Her favorite subject in school is math, and when she grows up, she hopes to become a doctor.
Jackie has her eyes checked every year to keep her prescription lenses up to date, as she relies on them to see clearly. Without her glasses, Jackie says she struggles to see the board at school.
When asked why she thinks clear vision is important, she put it simply:
“It improves my health and life,” she said.
Jackie had a positive experience during her visit to the Goleta clinic, commenting that the SVC team “treated [her] very well and the doctor was a very nice person.”
Meet Omar, Age 9
Omar is nine years old and loves sports. He enjoys playing handball and hopes to become a soccer player when he grows up.
Omar had his eyes checked about a year ago and returned to the clinic for another exam during Children’s Sight Month. At his appointment this year, he was happy to learn that he did not need glasses.
Although Omar has not experienced significant difficulty with his vision, he understands how important it is when he is playing sports and spending time with his friends.
When asked why being able to see matters, Omar explained:
“Because you can bump into everything and then you wouldn’t be able to play handball and stuff.”
His free eye exam gave him a chance to check on his vision and make sure everything was still on track.
Making Eyecare Part of Growing Up
Children may not always realize when they are having trouble seeing. They can become accustomed to blurry vision without knowing that something should look clearer.
That’s why regular eye exams are so important; they can help identify vision problems and determine whether a child needs glasses or other treatment. And for children who need glasses, the right prescription can help build confidence and make everyday activities easier.
Thank you to the schools, youth organizations, and community partners who opened their doors to our SVC team this Children’s Sight Month, and to the doctors and staff at our local clinics who made Annie, Jackie, and Omar’s care possible. Together, we’re making sure that no child’s vision stands between them and their education, or their dreams.
If you’d like to help make next year’s Children’s Sight Month possible, consider making a donation today!
