COLUMBIA, Md. — One hundred Howard County students received free eye exams and glasses Saturday during a private event held at Long Reach High School.
The one-day Vision Clinic was sponsored by Howard County Health Department and was in collaboration with the nonprofit OneSight.
Participants were preselected based on their need for eye exams.
In a media Q&A, OneSight states the goal of the event is to combat vision care challenges for students who may lack access to proper eye care.
"Eye exams and glasses act as powerful tools that can play a significant role in helping lift people out of poverty by enabling education and employment."
According to Health.gov, it's recommended that children should have their vision checked at least once between ages 3 and 5, even if the child doesn't show signs of eye problems.
John Hopkins Medicine sites signs of vision problems being:
- Squinting
- Tilting head or covering one eye
- Sitting too close to the television or holding hand-held devices too close to the eyes
- Rubbing eyes excessively
- Complaining of headaches or eye pain
- Having difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
This is the first time the non-profit has worked with the Howard County Health Department.
