Better Vision for Carrollton Farmers Branch School Kids

Posted by Bill Bexley 
on Jan 07, 2011
 

Mr. Ed Fjorbak, President and CEO of The Essilor Vision Foundation, was our speaker and program on January 6th.   On January 1st. they report significant progress made toward its mission to help people achieve a better life through better sight. In 2010, the Foundation completed nearly 25,000 vision screenings and provided approximately 4,000 pairs of glasses to children who otherwise could not afford them. 

Since its launch in 2008, the Essilor Vision Foundation has concentrated its efforts on U.S. elementary school children. In 2010, the Foundation reached new heights with its Adopt-A-School and Kids Vision for Life programs, as well as its annual Essilor Vision Foundation Golf Classic tournament fundraiser. The tournament was so successful in raising funds to help children in New York City, area programs are slated for expansion in 2011. 

The Essilor Vision Foundation was one of several community organizations the Carrollton-Farmers Branch supported in 2010.  Mr Fjordbak reported that during the current school year, 2752 children in CFB ISD were screened for vision problems, 339 that met the program’s income qualifications were examined by an optometrist, and 248 received glasses.   Another ten students were referred to ophthalmologists for more serious vision issues.

 
 
 
“Our services are A-to-Z,” said Ed Fjordbak.  “We go to school with teams of volunteers, certified by the State of Texas as vision screeners, and screen students for vision problems.  A week or so later, we bring the mobile vision van right to the school and examine the children with potential.  If they need glasses, they get to choose from a wide variety of the latest frame styles.  Finally, an optician delivers the finished glasses to the school and fits them to the child.  She also instruct the child and school nurse about wearing glasses and their care.  Like I said, A-to-Z.”

Janie Bull, the school nurse from Farmer’s Branch Elementary shared the excitement when her students got their new glasses on November 11.  “It was an amazing moment,” she said.  “After each student was fitted with their glasses, they ran to the window and looked outside at the trees.  They were commenting on how they could actually see the leaves!  The look on each one of their faces was priceless!  I felt like it was Christmas in November!  These students are so proud of their glasses.  They are constantly telling me they are taking good care with them, as they don’t want to break them.   When I pass the students in the hall, I comment on how sharp they look in their glasses and they smile.   When I notice them without their glasses, they remind me that they have just come in from recess or PE and aren’t wearing them while playing  so they won’t get broken.”

The organizations plan to expand the program as resources are available.

Essilor Vision Foundation is a public charity and an initiative of Farmer’s Branch-based Essilor of America, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States.

The foundation’s mission is to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences.

To learn more about how you can become a volunteer in this organization, go to their wbsite and click on Volunteering