Vision screening slated

“If a child cannot see he cannot read, and if he cannot read he cannot learn, and if he cannot learn he cannot succeed,” said Becky Cunningham, Director of Programs.
Prevent Blindness Oklahoma is a nonprofit agency dedicated exclusively to eye health and safety.  Through their Children’s Vision Screening Program, Prevent Blindness Oklahoma, in a 23-year partnership with the Oklahoma Masons will provide a free vision screening South Rock Creek Elementary School on Nov. 11.
Prevent Blindness Oklahoma’s cornerstone program is Children’s Vision Screening and in the 2008-2009 school year the organization screened 251,293 children throughout the state of Oklahoma and 25,931  children were referred for further care. Prevent Blindness Oklahoma strives to educate the public on the importance of eye screenings.
Prevent Blindness Oklahoma applauds the  state law requiring parents of children in kindergarten, first, and third grades to provide certification that the child has passed a vision screening. The enactment of this law is ensuring that greater numbers of children will be screened.  Many children will struggle needlessly when a simple vision screening could be the very solution,” said Cunningham.
In the classroom, vision problems can lead to learning difficulty. Self-image is fragile in children. It may be damaged by excessive frustration at school. If vision is the problem, proper correction can come just in time to prevent permanently negative attitudes toward school. “In a world complicated with disease and illness Prevent Blindness Oklahoma may not save lives, but it sure can change them”, said Cunningham.