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RECENT NEWS STORIES
The Alcon Foundation, Essilor Vision Foundation and the Kids Vision for Life Coalition present...
Kids Vision Fest
Free festival to offer free eye exams and glasses to children 5 to 12 who qualify, plus free vision screenings, educational activities, entertainment, games, giveaways and more.
Friday, February 3, 2012 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(This is a student holiday for Fort Worth ISD)
Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus
300 Trinity Campus Circle, Fort Worth, TX
(formerly 300 RadioShack Circle)
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
In an effort to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences, The Alcon Foundation, Essilor Vision Foundation and the Kids Vision for Life Coalition will host Kids Vision Fest on Friday, February 3, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus located at 300 Trinity Campus Circle (formerly 300 RadioShack Circle) in Fort Worth.
Free and open to the public, the event will offer free vision screenings to all children. However, free eye exams and glasses will be provided ONLY to children ages 5 – 12 who qualify based on the 2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Kids will have the opportunity to participate in educational vision-related activities, games, comedy acts, giveaways and more.
IMPORTANT: Students who bring vision referrals from school nurses will be given priority on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizations bringing groups of children are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments.
Also, organizations that book in advance will be scheduled beginning at 9 a.m. before the doors open to the public.
Parking available in nearby lots, and public transportation also is nearby. For more information, go to www.kidsvisionforlife.org.
The Kids Vision for Life Coalition – Tarrant County partners include Alcon Foundation, Alexander Eye Center, All Church Home, Alliance for Children, American Foundation for the Blind, American Red Cross, Amon Carter Museum, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington ISD, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Birdville ISD, Boys and Girls Club, Buckner Foundation, Camp Fire, Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth, Child Vision Center, Children's Eye Foundation, Colleyville Lions Club, Cook Children's Foundation, Cornerstone Network, Delta Gammas – Arlington, Essilor Vision Foundation, Everman ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Gill Children’s Services, JPS Health Network, Junior Achievement, Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, NHP Foundation, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Prevent Blindness, Real School Gardens, Score a Goal in the Classroom, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Tarrant County College, Tarrant County Juvenile Services, Tarrant Literacy Coalition, Texas Christian University, The Child Study Center, United Way of Tarrant County, University of Texas at Arlington and the YMCA.
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Vision Is Priceless provides free eye exams and glasses
Submitted by Sandy Strickland on January 16, 2012 - 4:57pmSandy Strickland's blog
Vision Is Priceless Council is providing free eye exams and glasses for 80 children in the Jacksonville Urban League Head Start Program. Last fall, the council screened more than 1,500 children from 23 area Head Start Centers and found that number needed vision care.
The screenings are financed through individual donors and foundation contributions, a news release said. The council is a nonprofit that provides annual screenings for 30,000 children and adults in the Jacksonville area. Free clinics and further care are offered for those who meet the qualifications.
In 2009, the council successfully piloted with Florida’s Vision Quest to contract the use of its mobile vision van to serve more financially needy children.
The exams will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Northeast Springfield Head Start Center and on Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Normandy Head Start Center.
“We feel honored that 80 Head Start children will have the opportunity to benefit from this initiative,” LaToya Green, health supervisor with the league’s Head Start Program, said in the release. “Children compensate, adapt quickly and often do not complain of vision problems because how they see is considered normal to them.”
Research from the Essilor Vision Foundation found that up to 67 percent of children screened for vision problems do not receive follow-up care when referred, the release said. The reasons were financial difficulties, logistical challenges and vision care not seen by the parents as a priority. Without treatment, the release said, early vision problems can lead to permanent loss, unnecessary struggles in school and an increased risk of not graduating.
“Vision screening is the essential first step, but the benefit of screening is not realized until the follow-up care is delivered,” Robert Hered, council board member and medical advisor, who is chief of ophthalmology at Nemours Children’s Clinic, said in the release.
Susan Mattox, the council’s executive director, said “We give the kids the opportunity to do better in school while providing a service for the adults that can help them become more self-reliant.
For more information, call (904) 308-2020 or visit www.visionispriceless.org.
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Essilor Renews Partnership With Special Olympics
| December 21, 2011 12:21 AM |
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CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France— Essilor International (Reuters: ESSI.PA) has renewed its agreement to support Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Essilor Group has been providing corrective lenses to Special Olympics athletes around the world since 2003.
Through the Essilor Vision Foundation, Essilor will pursue its partnership for three more years as the exclusive global supplier of corrective lenses for the Special Olympics-Lions Club International Opening Eyes program. Part of the Healthy Athletes program launched in 1997, Opening Eyes promotes healthy vision for Special Olympics athletes thanks to vision screenings, corrective and sports protective eyewear for athletes in need, and referrals for athletes requiring follow up treatment and services.
"As part of its mission to help everyone see the world better, Essilor is proud of this long lasting partnership with Special Olympics. We are both very committed to bringing a better life through better sight to athletes with intellectual disabilities" said Claude Darnault, chief sustainability officer, Essilor International.
"We are honored to be working alongside Essilor, in support of the vision of our athletes," said Dr. Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, Inc. "Together, we are able to create positive, and lasting, change in the lives of athletes—both on and off the playing field. This speaks volumes to the commitment that Essilor has shown to the health of persons with intellectual disabilities worldwide."
Laura Bush Visits Kids Vision Fest at Dallas Public Library
January 19, 2010
Former First Lady Laura Bush stressed the importance of good vision care at Kids Vision Fest, presented by the Essilor Vision Foundation and the Kids Vision For Life Coalition, held Jan. 19 at the Dallas Central Library.
Kids Vision Fest provided free vision screenings, eye exams and new glasses – featuring the latest styles in eyeglass frames provided by Safilo and Nouveau Eyewear for children ages 4 to 12 who cannot afford vision care and do not qualify for other programs such as Medicaid.
“As a former teacher and librarian, I appreciate the importance of eye exams for students,” Mrs. Bush said. “Learning to read is fundamental for education, and being able to see clearly is vital to literacy. Vision problems impair a student’s ability to see the chalkboard, read a book, or use the computer.”
Mrs. Bush began her visit by touring the Essilor Vision Foundation/Alcon Foundation’s Mobile Vision Van, a “vision clinic on wheels” where eye doctors conducted eye exams, children selected eyeglass frames and glasses were edged and fitted. After visiting with children in the games and activities areas, she read the book co-authored with her daughter Jenna Bush Hager – Read All About It! – to 20 children from the West Dallas Community School.
“Kids Vision Fest was a big success due to the enthusiastic efforts of so many, from the eye doctors and volunteers who jumped at the chance to help these terrific kids, to the Dallas Public Library who so graciously hosted our event to Safilo and Nouveau Eyewear that provided the eyeglass frames,” said Patrick Esquerre, Essilor Vision Foundation board member and event organizer. Also, more than 150 volunteers assisted with registration, screenings and the various activities.
CENTER FOR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT RECOGNIZES ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION WITH 2009 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
November 13, 2009
Essilor Vision Foundation Holds Golf Classic
Vision Monday Sept 2, 2009
Many children today lack good vision care. Ability to see well positively affects education, literacy, the workplace, and society
Optometry Times: Jul 17, 2009
White Paper by Joel N. Zaba, MA, OD with the support of Essilor Vision Foundation
PRESS RELEASES AND MEDIA ADVISORIES
2009
May 22, 2009: Essilor Junior Lens Sales To Provide Lenses For Children In Need
February 5, 2009: Essilor Vision Foundation Provides Glasses to Dallas ISD Children Who Wouldn’t Get Then Otherwise
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PRESS RELEASES AND MEDIA ADVISORIES |
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MEDIA ADVISORY - August 27, 2009
Essilor Vision Foundation to Provide Free Eye Exams and Free Glasses to Youth at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center Monday and Tuesday
Research links uncorrected vision problems to juvenile delinquency and behavior problems; up to 74% of juvenile offenders may have uncorrected vision problems
WHAT: With research showing uncorrected vision problems linked to juvenile delinquency and behavior problems, Essilor Vision Foundation has reached out to help local teens by providing free eye exams and eyeglasses to youth involved with the Dallas County Juvenile Department. This Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1), Essilor Vision Foundation will be onsite at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center where they’ll conduct vision screenings and eye exams on approximately 300 incarcerated youth.
As part of the Kids Vision for Life program, Essilor Vision Foundation has partnered with the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation and the Dallas County Juvenile Department to also conduct onsite vision screenings and eye exams on approximately 600 incarcerated and at-risk teens at Youth Village, Medlock Center, and the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program.
Altogether, Essilor Vision Foundation expects to provide approximately free eyeglasses -- equipped with top-quality polycarbonate lenses in popular frames -- to approximately 300 teens before the end of September.
Dallas County Commissioners John Wiley Price and Maurine Dickey recently passed a resolution honoring Essilor Vision Foundation for their work with troubled teens and Dallas County youth.
WHO: Available for interview both days will be Dr. Anthony Borgognoni, clinical advisor for the Essilor Vision Foundation, who works regularly with local prison populations. “Dr. B,” who is available for interviews, sees similar vision problems in adult offenders.
Mike Griffiths, Juvenile Services Director for the Dallas County Juvenile Department, and representatives of the Juvenile Court and Commissioners Court will be available at selected times Monday for interviews.
WHY: Studies show that up to 74% of juvenile offenders may have vision problems!
Approximately 80% of what a child learns is acquired through their eyes. Studies show that children with uncorrected vision are more likely to drop out of school and may go on to face lifelong struggles with literacy, low self-esteem, unemployment, poverty and crime. The surprising reality is that one in four American children has a vision problem – and the number climbs as high as 50% in some inner-city communities – yet research suggests 90% of those children are not wearing glasses today.
WHEN: Monday (Aug. 31) and Tuesday (Sept. 1) from 10:30 a.m. till noon
WHERE: Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, 2600 Lone Star Dr., Dallas 75212
ABOUT ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION
Essilor Vision Foundation is a public non-profit charity established by Dallas-based Essilor of America, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. The foundation’s mission is to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences.
We strive to give children a brighter future by helping them see the world more clearly. Our programs focus on improving the quality of school vision screenings so fewer children slip through the cracks, providing eye exams and eyeglasses to children who would not get them otherwise, and educating parents and communities about the importance of children’s vision care and the role it plays in literacy, society, and the economy.
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Essilor Vision Foundation Continues To Provide
Free Eye Exams And Glasses To Children In Need
California Adopt-A-School Program Builds on Initial Success with Plans for 2010
DALLAS – (Aug. 25, 2009) – The Essilor Vision Foundation announced today that it will resume its successful California Adopt-A-School program at Russell Elementary in Santa Ana, Calif., in fall 2009. The program, which aims to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences, focuses on helping underprivileged and uninsured children to receive needed vision correction. In doing so, the program educates parents about the need for annual eye exams and collaborates with other non-profit organizations to provide free exams and eyewear.
The Essilor Vision Foundation joined with Southern California College of Optometry, its primary California partner, and Vision Source and VSP to help families receive eye exams and eyeglasses that they might not otherwise be able to afford. Since the project began 10 months ago, the doctors, students and other volunteers completed 367 screenings with 143 students referred for comprehensive exams, which were conducted in the VSP mobile clinics. One hundred nineteen students received eyeglasses.
“The Essilor Vision Foundation has made great progress during the first year of the national Adopt-A-School program,” said Audrey Reed, executive director for the Essilor Vision Foundation. “We are excited about continuing our existing successful programs in California and elsewhere as well as extending our reach with new programs to help even more families.”
To date, the program has welcomed 120 volunteers nationwide and 75 certified screeners in the Dallas area, and in addition to California has launched programs in Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Texas and Utah.
For more information, on the Essilor Vision Foundation, please visit www.essilorvisionfoundation.org. The site provides general background on the foundation, information about upcoming events, tips for families, facts about vision problems and the ability to easily make donations online.
About the Essilor Vision Foundation
Essilor Vision Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) charity established by Dallas-based Essilor of America, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. The Foundation’s mission is to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences and does so by creating and supporting activities that advance good vision and its benefits and by offering special help to those who need it most.
The Foundation provides screenings, eye exams and other vision resources to children who cannot afford them otherwise; educates parents, teachers and the general public about good vision and the critical role it plays in literacy, education, society, community safety, and the economy; creates partnerships to increase access to good vision care within the U.S.; and raises funds to support and expand its charitable works.
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Dallas County Commissioners Court Passes Resolution Praising Essilor Vision Foundation for Providing Eye Care to Troubled Teens
Every teen in the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Center system
receives free vision screenings, exams and glasses (if needed)
DALLAS (Aug. 25, 2009) – Praising their efforts to help troubled and incarcerated teens, the Dallas County Commissioners Court recently passed a resolution recognizing Essilor Vision Foundation for providing free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to youths of the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Center.
The resolution states that the Dallas County Commissioners Court “extends its sincere appreciation to Essilor Vision Foundation for its assistance in supporting youth and families in Dallas County and has our support for its efforts to address one of the issues that plague our schools and juvenile population.”
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price introduced the resolution, which was submitted in conjunction with Commissioner Maurine Dickey. It recognized Essilor Vision Foundation for strides made in addressing vision problems in children – from increasing awareness among parents and teachers and improving eye screenings in schools, to eliminating barriers that prevent children from receiving proper eye care and thus reducing the academic and social problems seen in children with undiagnosed vision problems.
As part of the Kids Vision for Life program, Essilor Vision Foundation has partnered with the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation to conduct onsite vision screenings and exams on approximately 600 incarcerated teens at the Youth Village, Medlock Center and the Henry Wade Detention Center. Essilor Vision Foundation expects to provide free, high-quality eyeglasses to approximately 300 teens before the summer is over.
“Vision is critical to a young person’s success, and I was taken aback to learn that approximately 60 percent of our incarcerated youth in Dallas County suffer from undiagnosed vision problems,” said Mike Griffiths, director of Dallas County Juvenile Services. “I just wish these teens had had an opportunity to get their vision problems corrected at a younger age … maybe it might have prevented some of the troubles they now face.”
According to Jacques Stoerr, chairman of the Essilor Vision Foundation, studies show that children with uncorrected vision are more likely to drop out of school and may go on to face lifelong struggles with literacy, low self-esteem, unemployment, poverty and crime. He adds that approximately 80% of what a child learns is acquired through their eyes.
“As a person who wears glasses, I know how difficult it is to operate without them and what a disadvantage it is if you can’t see,” said Commissioner Price. “Essilor Vision Foundation is providing a critical tool to Dallas County kids, and we greatly appreciate their dedication to help our young people.”
To donate or learn more about the Essilor Vision Foundation, go to www,essilorvisionfoundation.org.
ABOUT ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION
Essilor Vision Foundation is a public non-profit charity established by Dallas-based Essilor of America, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. The foundation’s mission is to achieve better life through better sight by creating and supporting activities that advance good vision and its benefits and offering special help to those who need it most.
We strive to give children a brighter future by helping them see the world more clearly. Our programs focus on improving the quality of school vision screenings so fewer children slip through the cracks, providing eye exams and eyeglasses to children who would not get them otherwise, and educating parents and communities about the importance of children’s vision care and the role it plays in literacy, society, and the economy.
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Essilor Junior Lens Sales To Provide Lenses For Children In Need
For Every Five Pairs Sold, Essilor will Donate One Pair to the Essilor Vision Foundation
DALLAS – (May 22, 2009) – Essilor of America, Inc., the nation's leading manufacturer of optical lenses, announces that sales of Essilor Junior™ lenses from June 1 to December 31, 2009 will help children in need. For every five pairs of Essilor Junior lenses sold, Essilor will donate one pair to the Essilor Vision Foundation for its work to improve the vision of children across the country.
“This important initiative will allow each pair of Essilor Junior lenses sold to impact the lives of children who could not otherwise afford vision correction,” said Carl Bracy, vice president of marketing for Essilor of America. “Together with the Essilor Vision Foundation, we can help children see clearly and provide them with a better chance to succeed in the future.”
The Essilor Vision Foundation strives to eliminate the obstacles, such as financial difficulties and lack of understanding, that prevent families from getting the necessary exams and glasses for their children.
Eighty percent of everything children learn in the first 12 years comes through their eyes, yet one in four American children has a vision problem. In some inner-city communities, that number climbs to as high as one in every two children, and of those children, almost none are wearing glasses today.
Essilor Junior lenses are designed especially for children and their active lifestyles at an affordable price that parents will appreciate. The superiority of the lens provides critical safeguards for young eyes as they develop, by providing a durable and safe product that will withstand the constant abuse and need for cleaning that is common in children’s lenses.
About Essilor
Essilor is the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States and is the market leader in progressive, high-index and anti-reflective coated lenses. A pioneer in the development and production of ophthalmic lenses, Essilor employs more than 9,000 people throughout North America. Essilor manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, DEFINITY® Thin&Lite®, and other Essilor brand names. Essilor Laboratories of America (ELOA) is the largest, and most trusted, optical lab network in the U.S. and offers a wide choice of services and lens brands, including Essilor premium lenses, to eye care professionals across the nation. Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International, a publicly held company traded on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (Reuters: ESSI.PA).
About the Essilor Vision Foundation
Essilor Vision Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)3 charity established by Dallas-based Essilor of America, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. The Foundation’s mission is to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences and does so by creating and supporting activities that advance good vision and its benefits and by offering special help to those who need it most.
The Foundation provides screenings, eye exams and other vision resources to children who cannot afford them otherwise; educates parents, teachers and the general public about good vision and the critical role it plays in literacy, education, society, community safety, and the economy; creates partnerships to increase access to good vision care within the U.S.; and raises funds to support and expand its charitable works.
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Essilor, Varilux, Crizal and DEFINITY are registered trademarks and Essilor Junior is a trademark of Essilor International. Thin&Lite is a registered trademark of Essilor of America, Inc.
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