Early vision screenings are crucial, with organizations like EyeCare4Kids stepping in to ensure children in rural and low-income areas receive the eye care they need to thrive.
By
Joseph Carbone
| Published on January 28, 2025
6 min read
In rural areas or communities where there is extensive poverty, families face significant health inequity simply by living in neighborhoods with reduced health care services, public transport options and/or community infrastructure, such as widely available and affordable internet service. This issue is magnified in children living in poverty, whose belongings may largely be comprised of hand-me-down clothes, toys, shoes or even glasses made for other people.
Making do with glasses that aren’t crafted for the wearer (or going without glasses at all) is particularly problematic. Studies show that good vision is vital to a child’s success at school, among peers, and to participate in extracurricular activities. However, one in four children in the United States has imperfect vision, which is a problem given that 80% of a child’s learning happens through the eyes. Further, vision problems are more than double than the national average in high-poverty neighborhoods. That’s why it is so important to help all children — regardless of their circumstances — to have clear, functional vision, thereby improving their opportunity to succeed at school and in life.
One of the goals of Healthy People 2030 is to reduce blindness and visual impairment in children because “if untreated, these problems can make it harder for children to learn, work, and do daily activities for the rest of their lives.”
To address the vision gap, many schools and communities do a good job of following the recommendations of the American Optometric Association, which advises regular vision screenings starting in very young children, but also during the school years. These screenings, often conducted by nurses or volunteers, are helpful to identify children who may have the most common of vision problems — refractive errors — including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or lazy eye, among others. They also help to flag children in need of a more comprehensive eye exam, which requires more specialized equipment and expertise from an optician. These exams cover visual acuity, focus (how the eyes work together), eye tracking and overall eye health. They may also lead to an ophthalmology referral for the most complex cases.
When a family is unable to access vision services like these, a child is at risk for lower academic performance and increased anxiety. In 2001, EyeCare4Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Utah, was formed to reach families who cannot afford or overcome barriers to seeking out regular eye exams and corrective glasses.
Focused on rural and underserved areas, including Indigenous, immigrant and refugee communities mostly in Utah, Nevada and Arizona, with plans to expand into other states, EyeCare4Kids provides professional eye care to low-income, visually impaired children and underserved families through our own community-based clinics, school-based clinics and a mobile vision van that we bring to a variety of locations. We also coordinate services to the most remote locations — such as Native American reservations accessible only by helicopter — so as to not leave anyone behind. Our philosophy is that by bringing services into the community, we eliminate potential logistical obstacles parents may face in getting their children the eye care they need.
To further facilitate health equity, we ensure that each of our patients receives the same care as their peers might, meaning that after a thorough exam they get to pick from hundreds of stylish, colorful glasses. We know all too well that if a child doesn’t like their glasses or feels their glasses aren’t as nice as a classmate’s, then they won’t wear them. With their glasses in hand, we also teach each child how to take care of his or her glasses, which fosters a positive sense of ownership and responsibility. Our efforts are backed up by science. Studies show that children who wear their glasses have improved academic performance.
In 2024 alone, the organization delivered over 50,000 vision services, highlighting our commitment to improving children’s lives through better vision.
According to the World Health Organization, the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide are simple refractive errors and cataracts. Yet only one-third of people worldwide with distance vision impairment have received treatment.
EyeCare4Kids is just one of many organizations working to improve health equity in children by improving vision. Other organizations include Orbis International, Giving Sight, New Eyes, Lions Club International and many others who understand how good vision is vital to future success. Only together can we address the huge unmet needs of children living in underserved communities.
To learn more about how EyeCare4Kids is making a difference and supporting health equity, visit EyeCare4Kids.org. Every child who can see the smartboard more clearly or the words on the page better is one who is set up for success in school and in life.