InSight children's vision care program: A partnership to meet eye care needs of low income children

Five to 10% of school age children in the U.S. are affected by vision disorders and according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 3 children in America receives eye care services before the age of six (CDC, 2005). Since the majority of classroom learning relies on a visual component, establishing a solid foundation is critical. The Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry is committed to serving the needs of our local community and around the globe. The InSight: Children's Vision Care Program, is a comprehensive program that is designed to reach children by providing vision screening, comprehensive exams, the appropriate treatment and/or corrective lenses, vision therapy as needed, and care coordination, for those who may otherwise not have access to eye care. This program has been made possible by a grant from the Inland Empire United Way. A key partner in this program is Hope Through Housing Foundation (HTHF), a nonprofit organization that provides services onsite to more than fifty affordable housing properties. InSight is a pilot project at two of these HTHF properties. Children residing in these properties are brought into the initial screening as a result of contact made with parents by an on-site staff member whom they already know. Information is provided about the benefits of eye care for children and parental consent is obtained. Findings from the program will be presented including the prevalence of vision disorders and changes in vision and performance in school.