July 29, 2021 — Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) is highlighting back-to-school season and how essential vision is for success in school with its Champions for Sight and Kids Vision for Life programs. 

Research shows that 80% of what a child learns in their first 12 years is visual-based. Furthermore, students with undiagnosed vision impairments are three times more likely to fail a grade than children with 20/20 vision. 

The foundation’s Champions for Sight program provides free vision-related educational materials to schools for use in the classroom and at home. In a recent EVF survey, school nurses and educators shared that Champions for Sight is informative and they recognize the positive impact the program has on students.

Through the Kids Vision for Life program, EVF provides direct, no-cost vision services to students via mobile clinics that visit schools and provide on-site vision exams and, if needed, free, finished prescription glasses the same day.

“I have seen countless students receive eye exams and glasses who otherwise were unable to get them,” says Julia Matrox, a nurse with Ft. Worth ISD. “I was able to see firsthand the excitement on their faces as they were able to finally see, the improvement in class work performance, and in their overall emotional and physical wellbeing. The experience left both the students and parents so much better than had they not had this opportunity.”