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Child Sight Program

Vision for the Future

More than 3,000 children - most of whom were uninsured - have received eyeglasses through the program since 1994.

The Child Sight Vision Program provides mass vision screening for targeted grades, optometry services for students who fail screening tests, and free eyeglasses for children who need them.  The program is currently available to children at I.S. 52, I.S. 143, I.S. 136, I.S. 164, and George Washington Educational Campus.

Optometrists from Columbia's Center for Community Health and Education at the Mailman School of Public health examine each student and provide needed glasses.  Children can choose from 30 different frame styles.

In the past year, the program screened seventh graders, special education students at intermediate schools, and other students referred by teachers because they were experiencing visin problems.  Special education students and tenth graders were screened at the George Washington Educational Campus.

Columbia collaborates on the program with New York-Presbyterian Hospital and receives funding from Helen Keller International and the Ruth Turner Fund.