By J.J. KINDRED
J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com
Almost any teacher would agree that if a student can’t see clearly, they can’t learn.
Since 1997, Sight for Students has made sure that those situations never occur.
Founded by the Vision Service Plan (VSP), Sight for Students is a charity that provides free vision exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children.
The program operates nationally through a network of community partners who identify children in need, with VSP network doctors who provide the eyecare services.
Approximately 500,000 children each year receive a free comprehensive exam and corrective lenses if needed through Sight for Students. These are children who would otherwise not receive the eyecare and eyewear they need to do their best work in school and perform their best at play.
A total of 630,000 children have been helped through the program according to Jill Novello, global charity market manager for VSP.
“It’s our largest charitable program,” Novello said during a conference call Jan. 3. “We work with a number of national community partners who go out and identify the children in need and reach out to them. We will also provide for families who need help.”
Novello cited the National Association of School Nurses and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the charities VSP works heavily with to identify needy students.
“We identify children in need to qualify for different things,” she said. “They need to come from a low-income family, and no insurance available to them — they also need to have a social security number, and such. We look at the corporate community partners to look at children in need, and schoolteachers will say have issues in school with their students having vision problems. Parents will also acknowledge the problem or the children themselves are asking for help.”
Novello said the program will help out adults with vision care as well, if necessary.
The program has received rave reviews from school districts, she added.
“They are so appreciative for this,” Novello said.
Families can also receive help if their children have more serious vision issues that will require immediate attention.
“All we require is a VSP optometrist,” Novello said. “When we provide certificates, we provide a list of doctors close in the area. This covers comprehensive eye exams, vision therapy, or other vision impairment. We give referrals if they do find glaucoma or eye disease with follow-up care work with those on specific cases.”
VSP was one of the original commitment-makers to America’s Promise, which focuses on bring together organizations dedicated to helping the nation’s youth.
