Sept. 5, 2024 — As the school year begins, The Vision Council (TVC) Foundation is drawing attention to a collection of educational tools aimed at supporting eye care for children. These free downloadable resources are designed for the eyecare community to share with parents and staff.

The foundation's “Guide to Kid’s Eye Health and Myopia Management This School Year” provides a summary of materials from organizations such as Prevent Blindness, CooperVision, EyeMed Vision Care, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Zeiss. The guide includes fact sheets, classroom simulators, curriculum kits, videos, and caregiver survey data.

A survey conducted by The Vision Council found that over half of parents whose child was diagnosed with myopia discovered the condition through a routine eye exam. To promote early detection, the foundation has released a Back-to-School Eye Exams Toolkit. This toolkit contains graphics, social media content, and a printable poster to encourage families to schedule comprehensive eye exams.

“The optical community understands the crucial role that clear, healthy vision plays in a child’s future, but for busy families, making sure that happens can feel overwhelming or out of reach. Our goal is to make vision care accessible and straightforward,” says Ashley Mills, CEO of TVC and TVC Foundation.

In addition to back-to-school resources, the foundation offers year-round guidance on children’s vision care, including information on eye exams, eyewear options for sports, and common eyecare terms. These resources aim to support both parents and eyecare professionals in promoting healthy vision for children.