12 million children need vision correction in the U.S. school systems and do not have it


“By the year 2050, 50% of the world’s population will be myopic,” he said. “One billion will have high myopia, which is -5 D and above, and will be at risk of visual impairment and blindness. We are heading into one of the biggest public health crises in the history of society.


Kim Schuy, president of the Essilor Vision Foundation, said 12 million children need vision correction in the U.S. school systems and do not have it.
“That’s one in four students with a problem significant enough to affect learning, and people assume Medicaid will take care of it,” she said.
The Essilor Vision Foundation signature program is Kids Vision For Life.
“Our goal is to find a way to solve that vision need in America’s Classrooms,” Schuy said, “whether through access or awareness or government policy.”

The foundation is involved with the Special Olympics, provides vision service on site in America’s Title 1 schools, staffs mobile vans and provides care at health clinics and colleges of optometry. In 2014 the group provided eye wear to 45,759 people; in2015 it provided eye wear to 121,562, Schuy said.

“The key message for the Essilor Vision Foundation, similar to what Kovin said, is partnership – meeting with nonprofits and important industry players who also want to join this mission.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Disclosures: Bhuvaraghan is employed by Essilor.Naidoo is employed by the BHVI. Cavanagh is employed by the Vision Impact Institute. Schuy is employed by the Essilor Vision Foundation.

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