By Marco Palumbo on Unsplash
On Aug. 29 at a clinic at University of Houston’s College of Optometry, 30 children with severe visual impairments received free high-tech vision aids. These aids are designed to help visually impaired children to see and learn more independently.
The event marked the launch of a partnership between the college and Sight Savers America. Sight Savers America is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide aid to children at no cost.
Each child received an electronic video magnifier, a high-tech device with a camera and screen that can greatly enlarge text or images – along with training on how to use it effectively.
“This is going to let them see fine print, read the same books their peers are reading, and do their homework without help from their parents reading it to them,” said Dawn DeCarlo, the chief executive officer at Sight Savers of America.
During the clinic, Sight Savers’ staff and senior optometry students from UH’s Center for Sight Enhancement worked with the children and their families to practice using the new equipment which they were allowed to keep.
The specialized video magnifiers typically cost between $1,100 and $3,800 each and are not normally covered by insurance, making them unaffordable for many families. The program was made possible by grants from several philanthropic groups, including the William Stamps Farish Foundation and the Houston Delta Gamma Foundation. Advocates note that nearly one-third of children with serious vision impairment do not graduate from high school, a statistic they hope this effort will change.
Doctors involved in the initiative say the high-tech aids can be transformative for students with low vision.
“We’re providing children with devices that are life-changing,” said Dr. Andy Archila, a low-vision specialist at UH’s College of Optometry.
These electronic magnifiers are often the only option when a child’s eyesight cannot be corrected by glasses, surgery, or other standard treatments, experts noted.
One of the recipients, 11-year-old Zoe Romero, said her new device will make a big difference in daily tasks.
“It will make me feel good because, first of all, I’m not going to have to hunch over and squint at the paper,” Zoe said, describing how she previously struggled to see her schoolwork.
Beyond academics, the program’s organizers say the biggest gains are in confidence.
“We see improvements in reading and writing, but the biggest improvement we see is in self-esteem and independence,” DeCarlo said. “The lifelong impact of improving a child’s self-esteem and independence cannot be measured.”
Sight Savers America will also continue working with each family beyond the initial giveaway. The nonprofit plans to follow up regularly to maintain and repair the devices as needed and to assess the children’s progress in school and quality of life.
University officials noted that the effort changes the lives of the children and provides hands-on training for involved optometry students.