The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (GLLF) is joining forces with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to offer free vision care to children attending YMCA summer day camps.
This initiative includes events at eight Metro Atlanta YMCA locations where campers will undergo vision screenings. Those identified with vision problems will later be scheduled for follow-up eye exams and will receive glasses, all at no expense to their families.
As part of GLLF’s mission to transform vision care for children, the program aims to screen 10,000 children across Georgia over the next two years, anticipating that half of these children will require further care. The events at YMCA locations contribute to this statewide initiative, which seeks to enhance children’s health and readiness for learning.
Beth Ehrhardt, executive director of Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, highlights the issue that has arisen since the pandemic. “Students have been spending a lot more time on screens and aren’t really getting the chance to get that long-distance vision that they need,” she noted.
Ehrhardt explained that increased screen usage among students has affected the shape of their eyes, leading to higher rates of myopia, which necessitates the use of glasses for clear vision.
She emphasizes the significance of the screenings, noting that children often do not realize they are not seeing properly. “When they put the glasses on it’s suddenly ‘Wow I can see the leaves on the trees, I thought they were green blobs,’ or they say, ‘Now I don’t have to sit in front of the classroom on the floor anymore,’” she said.
Moreover, Ehrhardt pointed out that students who cannot see well may feel frustrated and confused, which can lead to behavioral problems in the classroom.
There are also troubling implications for literacy, as students with vision issues may struggle to read, contributing to declining literacy rates.
Nationally, screenings typically show a referral rate of about 20%. However, in the metro Atlanta area, that rate has surged to between 40-50% since the pandemic.
This summer, GLLF is collaborating with YMCAs over eight weeks to provide necessary eye care services. After the summer program concludes, they plan to return to several school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb, DeKalb, Clayton County, and Chatham County in Savannah.
Drew Hullinger, vice president of residential and outdoor programs at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, praised the partnership. “Everything happens here on site at the Y, so families don’t have to go anywhere. And at the end of the day, if students do need glasses, they will be sent to their home, free of charge.”
Hullinger emphasized the importance of sharp vision for children, stating that it is crucial to the YMCA’s mission of supporting the community and ensuring that all kids can thrive.
“This partnership with Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation embodies what we’re trying to do,” he added. “By giving kids a chance to get glasses, if needed, helps them not only here during the summer but also when they leave and return to their schools.”
Being able to see clearly allows children to better participate in classroom activities and engage with their educational environment, which reinforces the significance of this partnership.
For more details about the program, visit https://ymcaatlanta.org and https://lionslighthouse.org.
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