Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Parents, do your children have problems reading their assignments or seeing notes on the dry erase board in their classroom? According to the American Optometric Association, one in four children have vision problems that, if gone unchecked, can “hinder kids' development, school performance, social interactions and self-esteem well into adulthood.”
To help combat this, the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program provides free eye exams and glasses for students children of low-income families. “The mission of the Statewide Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program is to make sure that all financially disadvantaged schoolchildren who fail their vision screening have access to a comprehensive eye examination including dilation and glasses, if required, to give them the best chance at academic success,” the program website states.
From Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 18, the Heiken vision bus will be available to Suwannee County students in Pre-K through 12th grade for no-cost eye examinations. Students will be required to provide signed parental permission forms, as well as proof of program qualification. The website states students generally qualify for the program if they:
• Qualify for free or reduced-cost school meals.
• Do not have private insurance that covers eye exams.
• Do not have Medicaid or KidCare coverage for eye exams.
Students who are not qualified for the program will be referred to optometrists in their area who will accept their insurance.
Parents of any student in the Suwannee County School District who would like their children to participate in these free eye exams should apply online at www.floridaheiken.org no later than Monday, Oct. 17. The application process can take as little as two minutes and can be done from any mobile device with internet access. In addition, parents can reapply each school year so students get the vision care they need.