Every child deserves an equal opportunity to thrive, however, not every child has access to one often overlooked necessity: eyeglasses. While books, classrooms, and teachers are the pillars of education, clear vision serves as the gateway to unlocking a child's full potential. As part of Aprender y Crecer and its emphasis on reading, the Vision Program is bringing access to eyeglasses to the forefront of the conversation.
Imagine a classroom where the world appears blurry, where letters dance on the page, and numbers seem to elude comprehension. For millions of children worldwide, this is not a mere hypothetical scenario but a daily reality. Vision impairment can hinder a child's ability to learn, impacting their academic performance, confidence, and overall well-being.
“The school-age population, between approximately 6 and 12 years old, is at a fundamental stage in its learning and socialization process,” remarked Beatriz Zumbado, Regional Coordinator for the Aprender y Crecer Vision program. “A child with untreated vision problems will have more difficulties learning to read, write, and concentrate in class. In addition, he or she may experience symptoms such as headaches, burning or visual fatigue, neck pain, dizziness, and others.”
Since its inception in 2022, the Vision Program has screened more than 94,000 students, provided 22,000 eye exams performed by optometrists from PriceSmart’s optical centers, and delivered more than 19,000 pairs of eyeglasses to children in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
The importance of access to eyeglasses in the education process cannot be overstated. Here's why:
- Academic Performance: Clear vision is fundamental for absorbing information effectively. According to a study published in the Journal of Cognition and Development, children with uncorrected vision problems may experience difficulties in reading comprehension and academic achievement, highlighting the importance of vision correction in educational settings.
- Confidence Boost: Research suggests that wearing glasses can significantly improve self-esteem and social confidence in children with vision impairment. By providing students with the right pair of glasses, we can empower them to fully engage in learning and classroom activities.
- Equality in Education: Access to education should be a fundamental right for every child, regardless of their socio-economic background or physical abilities. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of addressing vision impairment as a barrier to education, calling for strategies to ensure equitable access to vision care for all children.
- Early Intervention: Detecting vision problems early is critical for addressing them effectively. Regular vision screenings are recommended for children starting at a young age to identify and correct vision issues before they impact learning. Early intervention programs, such as the Vision for Baltimore initiative, have demonstrated the positive impact of providing eyeglasses to students in need.
- Lifetime Impact: The long-term benefits of access to eyeglasses extend far beyond the classroom. According to a study by the World Bank, investing in vision care for children can lead to higher educational attainment, increased earning potential, and improved quality of life in adulthood, highlighting the lifelong impact of vision correction.
“My daughter used to suffer from bad headaches, watery red eyes, and was not doing well in school,” noted Lisa Cruz, whose daughter attends Escuela Don Bosco in Panama. “She used to say it was hard to see from far away, and words in books looked fuzzy. I took her to Social Security services and they advised glasses for her, but I could not afford them. Ever since she received glasses from the Aprender y Crecer Vision program her symptoms and headaches have disappeared. She is also doing better at school, and there are noticeable improvements in her grades after wearing glasses for only three months.”
Every child deserves the chance to see clearly and pursue their dreams without limitations. By prioritizing vision care in our education systems and communities, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Sources:
- Smith, R. W., & Hung, L. F. (2020). The Impact of Uncorrected Vision Problems on Reading Comprehension and Academic Achievement in Young Children. Journal of Cognition and Development, 21(5), 675-690.
- Hussaindeen, J. R., et al. (2018). Impact of spectacle wear compliance on outcomes of school vision screening. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 102(7), 954-959.
- World Health Organization. (2019). World report on vision. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Recommendations for Pediatric Vision Screening.
- Vision for Baltimore. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://visionforbaltimore.org/about/
- World Bank. (2016). The Economic Impact of Vision Impairment and Blindness. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
