Programs

Children's Vision Screenings

Our cornerstone program is children's vision screening.  This program strives to improve the health and education of children throughout the state.  In the 2008-2009 school year Prevent Blindness Oklahoma screened 251,293 children and referred 25,931 for further care with an eye care professional.  Children's Vision Screeners and Masons screen all children required by state law.  Prevent Blindness Oklahoma screens in public and private schools, Head Starts and daycares and have offered our services to all Oklahoma school districts, screening for visual acuity, muscle imbalance, and other vision problems.  Although there are different methods used in screening, the most common is chart screening, which is used for children four and older.  The second method used is photoscreening.  Photoscreening uses a technologically advanced camera to screen children ten months to three years of age, in addition to non-verbal and special needs children.

There is an acute need for the Children’s Vision Screening Program:

• One in four elementary school-age children has a vision problem.
• One in every twenty preschool children has a vision problem.
• Eye disorders, if they remain undiscovered, can harmfully affect a child’s personality, his learning ability and his entire adjustment in school.
  
  

 Information and referral Services

Prevent Blindness Oklahoma provides referrals to children who do not pass screenings and need medical follow-up, as well as offering referrals to adults.  Vouchers for free exam and glasses for children, if prescribed, are part of this program if eligibility requirements are met.  General information is also provided to individuals, groups, and educators interested in eye education and safety.