Sight First for Kids

Sight First For Kids is a special comprehensive program for all children up to eighteen years of age. Free and low cost eye care services and ophthalmic materials (glasses) are provided for eligible children from underserved, low income and uninsured families in Camden City, Camden County and surrounding areas.

Children, who rarely suffer from the serious eye diseases of the adult population, still have important visual concerns. Vision is the key to the learning process. More than 80% of learning is based on vision; therefore, good vision is essential for proper physical development and educational progress in growing children. Early detection of treatable eye disease in infancy and childhood can have far reaching implications for vision, general health, and future achievement.

Unfortunately too many children have learning related visual problems that are never diagnosed or treated. Millions of school-aged children are at risk for undiagnosed visual problems that interfere with learning. A National Eye Institute study shows vision problems are common in children, with an estimated 13.5 million children ages 0-17 affected.

According to the American Foundation for Vision Awareness 12 Million children in the U.S. are at risk for undiagnosed vision problems, and by the age of 6 years, only 14% of children will have received a comprehensive vision examination. 20/20 vision is just the beginning. A child can have 20/20 vision and still see letters which appear to move around, disappear and fade in and out of focus. Children with vision problems rarely report the symptoms; they believe everyone sees the same thing they do.

SIGHT FIRST FOR KIDS

Program provides delivery of vital eye care services in many areas:

• Routine comprehensive eye examinations and glasses to all children and treatment of eye disease
  
• Comprehensive eye health and vision screenings at day care, head start, and preschool centers
  
• Provision of eye care services at special pediatric facilities
  
• Provision of services for special needs children
  
• Amblyopia / Lazy Eye Screening and Remediation Program
  
• Low vision services for children with impaired vision

Approximately 4,500 children receive eye care services annually through the SIGHT FIRST FOR KIDS Program.

Warning signs of eye problems

• Eyes turning inward (crossing) or outward
  
• Squinting
  
• Headaches
  
• Not doing as well in school as before
  
• Blurred and doubled vision
  
• Losing place while reading
  
• Avoiding close work
  
• Holding reading material closer than usual
  
• Tending to rub eyes
  
• Eye tiring when reading or doing schoolwork
  
• Turning or tilting head to use one eye only
  
• Making frequent reversals when reading or writing
  
• Using fingers to maintain place when reading
  
• Consistently performs below potential

Thanks to the Subaru Foundation, Danellie Foundation, Gannett Foundation, Hudson United Bank, Commerce Bank, Aetna Foundation, The Children's Healthcare Foundation of South Jersey, Jaws Youth Foundation, Wachovia Bank, Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation, Sheppard Foundation, Fox Foundation, L-3 Communications, William G. Rohrer Foundation, Holman Enterprises and the Lions Clubs of District 16C for making this program continuous and successful.