Uncorrected vision conditions are among the biggest public health problems in the United States, affecting 1 in every 4 children, according to the American Optometric Association. Only 39 percent of students referred for an eye exam through a routine vision screening visit an eye doctor, and the gap is even larger in high-poverty communities. A California study by the Journal of Public Health found that as many as 95 percent of incoming first-graders in low-income communities who need glasses do not have them.
Uncorrected vision problems can worsen over time and interfere with children’s ability not only to see but also to learn and achieve their full potential. Vision is one the most powerful channels for learning; without clear eyesight, students may fall behind their peers during a critical time in their development and struggle to catch up, or even lose interest in school.
The good news is that the most common cause of vision impairment for children can be easily detected at low cost with a vision screening and an eye exam, and corrected with a simple pair of prescription glasses.
