More than 100 children in Perry County will receive free dilated eye exams and all necessary eye care treatment on May 1, thanks to a partnership between Sight Savers America, pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and Essilor Vision Foundation’s Changing Life through Lenses program.
“Better vision makes a world of difference in the lives of children, and we are excited to be coming to Perry County again to provide this free service,” said Jeff Haddox, President and CEO of Sight Savers America. “Since there are no optometrists or ophthalmologists practicing in Perry County, this eye clinic is the only local eye care for children in the area.”
The clinic will be held at the Perry County Health Department on Monday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Media is invited to cover the event and interview participants.
“This rural eye clinic is by appointment only for area children who have failed a local day care or school-based vision screening,” said Jennifer H. Williams, Chief Program Officer of Sight Savers America. “It has become the recurrent eye care home for many children who return year after year and would otherwise lack access to eye care. Sight Savers America will return to Marion in a few weeks to deliver free eyeglasses to children who receive a prescription at the clinic. For many of these children, this will be their first pair of glasses and will help better prepare them to succeed in school.”
The clinic is open to all children in Perry County who have failed a local day care or school-based vision screening. To make an appointment, call the Perry County Health Department at (334) 749-5700.
