FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Whitney Anderson
Prevent Blindness
Phone: (800) 301-2020 ext. 105
Email: [email protected]
Prevent Blindness Trains Vision Screening Volunteers at the Akron Main Library
Akron, OH (Aug. 24, 2018) – The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness held a preschool vision screening training workshop for area professionals who serve young children on Aug. 23 at the Akron Main Library. Volunteers were trained and certified to conduct standardized preschool vision screenings that help detect early vision problems. Each trainee also received screening equipment valued at $650.
The training was supported by the Save Our Sight Fund, which was established by the Ohio General Assembly in 1999, is administered by the Ohio Department of Health. It is funded by $1 voluntary consumer donations at the time of motor vehicle registration to support eye health and safety programs for kids.
State Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) greeted volunteers at the training and thanked them for their commitment to saving the sight of Ohio’s children.
“Many eye problems in children can be effectively treated and corrected if diagnosed early”, said Representative Sykes. The Ohio General Assembly is pleased to have created this program in 1999 to serve the sight-saving needs of over 300,000 Ohio children annually.”
Vision problems affect one in four school-age children and one in twenty preschoolers. Eighty percent of what a child learns is visual – good vision is critical to learning. Undetected vision problems can affect how well a child performs in the classroom. An estimated 47,300 Ohio preschool children (1 in 20) have a vision disorder including amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes) that can lead to loss of vision.
Prevent Blindness recommends a continuum of eye care for children to include both vision screening and comprehensive eye examinations. All children, even those with no signs of trouble, should have their eyes checked at regular intervals.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness is Ohio’s leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 1,000,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. For more information or to make a contribution, call 800-301-2020. Or, visit us on the web at www.pbohio.org or facebook.com/pbohio.
State Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) greeted preschool vision screeners trained by the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness at the Akron Main Library on Aug. 23. This training was all made possible by the Save our Sight Fund, which was created by the Ohio General Assembly in 1999 and helps train healthcare professionals, childcare centers, public and private preschools, and community volunteers in all Ohio counties!
