Local optometrist office provides free eye screenings for children

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

There were princesses, pirates, firefighters, even the Daytona Tortuga's mascot showed up for the free eye screenings event at the Total Vision optometrist in Port Orange.

The 'Kids' Day' event on Friday, July 21, was set up as a way to give children who live in Port Orange and surrounding communities a way to receive early detection and treatment to correct vision problems. Staff dressed up in costumes while doing exams and children were also treated to face painting, balloon making and an opportunity to hang out with members of the Port Orange Fire Department.

(L-R) Lauren Freshour, Resia Stowe, Dr. Kirsten Wilgers, Rebbecca Sclafani, Patty Gabel, Melissa Powell, Jennifer Reine, Pam Jantomaso. Photo by Nichole Osinski.

The cost of children’s vision disorders amounts to $10 billion each year in the U.S., according to the 2016 Children's Vision and Eye Health Report from Prevent Blindness.

The 2011 National Survey of Children’s Health looked at whether children had ever had their vision tested or if it had been tested within the past two years with pictures, shapes or letters. In Florida, only 38 % of children ages 0-5, had ever had their vision tested while 82 % of children, ages 6-11, had their vision tested within two years. Of Florida youth, ages 12-17, 80 % had their vision tested within the past two years.

Lauren Freshour helps Lydia Sarwi with an eye exam. Photo by Nichole Osinski.

Kirsten Wilgers, an optometric physician with Total Vision, wrote in an email that the Kids' Day event gives children an opportunity to meet the people that work there so they feel comfortable when they come in for their comprehensive exam. She noted it is best to get a baseline with a comprehensive eye exam by the time children are going into kindergarten.

Wilgers explained these early eye screenings are a way to help local youth reach their full academic and athletic potential.

"Young children rarely complain about seeing blurry because they don't know what clear vision looks like," Wilgers wrote. "Many times one eye is doing all the work and the eyes look straight so parents have no way of recognizing there is even a problem."

Magician William Franks performs for children during Kids' Day. Photo by Nichole Osinski.

The American Optometric Association estimates that one in four children has a vision-related condition and that 60 % of learning disabilities are related to issues with vision.

According to the 2016 National Health Interview Survey, "nearly 3 percent of children younger than 18 years are blind or visually impaired, defined as having trouble seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses."

The staff at Total Vision did approximately 65 vision screenings for Kids' Day.