More than 130 elementary school students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System can see the chalkboard more clearly and read a book more easily today thanks to the Luxottica Group Foundation.  Foundation representatives and eye professionals from its companies (such as LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical and Target Optical) examined students in need in the foundation’s OneSight Vision Van, “SeeMore,” November 16 and 17. 

Children at six school sites who have been identified as recently failing the East Baton Rouge Parish School System/Health Centers in School in-school eye screening were examined for vision correction with eyeglasses.  These are students, such as Ryon Williams of Winbourne Elementary School (seated in photo) being helped by Millerville Road Target store volunteer Kristy Carlin, determined by the district to be in need of financial assistance. 

The fully dilated eye exam and any lenses and glasses were free to students identified in need, but parental permission for the exam was required.  In most cases, glasses were selected by students – with the assistance of a vision professional, created and fitted on site – at no cost to the parent or guardian.  Students needing further vision exams were given a free appointment at a LensCrafters site on a different day.  Students with more complicated lens issues may have the glasses mailed to their school at a later date – free of charge.

“Up to 94 percent of children nationally with vision problems have reduced reading skills.  More than 80 percent of our students with vision issues have a financial need for exam and eyeglass assistance, as well,” said Sue Catchings, CEO of Health Centers in Schools.  “It is important to us to have all children in school -- healthy and with complete vision.  This is one more way we can help children learn effectively and stay in school!”

Over the two days, selected students with vision issues from specific elementary school sites were examined.  Those sites are:  Broadmoor Elementary School, The Dufrocq School, Bernard Terrace Elementary School, Howell Park Elementary School, Winbourne Elementary School and Melrose (upper and lower campuses) Elementary schools. Special thanks are extended to the doctors who donated their time for this cause:  Dr. P.T. Dinh, Dr. Susan Jong, Dr. Patrick Tate, Dr. Charles DiLeo and Dr. Yvonne Major.  For more information, contact Health Centers in Schools at (225) 721-1748 or (225) 803-7373 or go online to www.onesight.org.