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Phillips Eye Institute wins Quality of Life Award
Of those screened, approximately 1400 children needed further evaluation. EYE program staff follow up with each of these children individually to ensure they receive necessary treatment. Staff use a range of resources, whether it is using interpreters to communicate with the child's family, providing transportation to office visits, or funding for the care itself -- including exams, glasses or necessary surgical interventions.
Between 10 and 15 percent of children between the ages of five and 11 have an undiagnosed vision problem significant enough to affect their performance in the classroom and in their daily life. Due to budget cuts and increasing demands for resources, vision screenings in schools are no longer a routine activity. Unfortunately, children are not always aware they have a vision problem, and therefore do not complain to an adult who can help get them diagnosis and treatment.
Screenings are provided by trained EYE screeners and volunteers serving 44 elementary schools throughout the Minneapolis School District. During the 2009-10 school year, EYE plans to expand the program to include third grade students, bringing the total number of students screened to approximately 11,000 annually.
Phillips Eye Institute will be honored on Tuesday, April 28 at the Quality of Life Awards ceremony at the Marriot City Center in Minneapolis. The ceremony is open to the public and features Peter Heegaard, Phillips Eye Institute Foundation Board Member and former CEO of Lowry Hill and author of Heroes Among Us: Social Entrepreneurs Strengthening Families and Building Community as the keynote speaker. Other winners include McDonald's Franchisee Co-operative, Northeast Bank and Richfield Bloomington Credit Union.
Contact Pamela Ross, project director at the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation, at 612-775-8968 for more information.
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Phillips Eye Institute
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