Vizavance is a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma that provides free vision screenings to students across the state. In the 2015-2016 school year, over 360,000 students were screened, and so far, this year 313,371 students have been screened.How Do the Numbers Add Up? The numbers represent the children whose lives were affected by having their vision screened. Majority of what children learn in the classroom involves vision. Depending on the age of the child, it is hard to notice if they are struggling to see, especially if they don’t know what they are seeing isn’t normal. Vision problems are very significant when it comes to learning and developing. A staggering 25% of school-aged children have a vision problem that, when gone unnoticed, has negatively impacted their learning abilities. If never corrected, vision problems are linked with juvenile delinquency – startlingly, 70% of children considered delinquent have issues with their vision. Vizavance assists Oklahoma schools to ensure all children in Oklahoma are provided with free vision screening. Of the screenings done last year, about 36,000 children were recommended for a complete eye exam in order for the children to get corrective lenses.Children Won’t Always Speak for Themselves Vision problems often go unnoticed. Your children may not be aware they should be seeing the world in a different way. A vision screening allows parents to get a better idea of the condition of your child’s eyes and if they may need a vision adjustment. Here are some common signs your child is struggling to see. Sitting close to the TV. If your child sits very close to the TV, it may not be because they really like the show. Most likely, they are struggling to see. Squinting their eyes. Pay attention when your child is trying to focus on things in the distance. If you notice they are squinting a lot, they may be having difficulty seeing. Complaints of headaches. Constant strain on the eyes or trying to see clearly can cause headaches. If your child is complaining of frequent headaches, especially after reading or screen time, they may have a vision problem. Contact your school today to find out when Vizavance can provide a free vision screening.

Vizavance, formerly known as Prevent Blindness Oklahoma, is a nonprofit organization. This organization was established in 1965 to help promote awareness of early vision intervention for children.

Vizavance currently serves all 77 counties in Oklahoma. Their goal is to advance children’s education through free vision screenings for the children. They are a leading organization in the region and are making a difference in their community through their work.

Why Are Vision Screenings Important?

Children learn and grow their knowledge through their eyes. In fact, 80% of what children learn in a classroom setting is from something they have to see. If a child is struggling with their vision, they will not succeed in the classroom setting.

Roughly 25% of school aged children have a vision problem affecting their learning, but only around 15% of those children will visit an eye doctor before starting school. By offering vision screenings, we are giving all children a chance to have their vision problems addressed before it is too late.

Who Have We Helped?

In the 2015-2016 school year, we provided 365,156 children with a free vision screening. These screenings are for children 6 months old through 12th grade. Vizavance works with child care centers, Head Start Centers, and public and private schools.

Of the students we screened, 36,368 of them were referred to an eye care professional for an eye exam. Our free vision screenings make parents aware of a slight or serious vision problem they may not have known about. Catching vision problems early and getting the proper correction can make a difference in your child’s life. We believe children are unable to reach their full potential until they can see correctly. Sometimes the difference between success and failure in school is as simple as a pair of glasses!

What Else Do We Do?

We offer Vision Service Plan Benefit vouchers for free exams and glasses to families who qualify, making it possible for parents to give their children proper eye care if they could not afford it on their own.

Vizavance also provides classes for nurses, school staff, and healthcare professionals who have an interest in becoming a Children’s Vision Screener. All our staffs undergo this training and are skilled professionals at vision screenings.

Contact Vizavance today to schedule your child’s FREE vision screenings.