The University of Waterloo’s Optometry Clinic (School of Optometry and Vision Science) partnered with Plastic Plus in conjunction with the Pinball Clemens Foundation to provide vision screening and full eye examinations for over 200 children and youth at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in Toronto on August 9 & 10, 2016. Other contributors included Zeiss and Innova who provided the optical equipment needed for the screenings and eye exams. The Optometry Clinic aims to provide follow-up care for those children identified through the examinations as requiring additional eye care. The Clinic is also committed to undertaking further vision outreach initiatives for other vulnerable populations.
The ability to see well is important to the social and emotional development of children. The Optometry Clinic was approached to undertake vision screening for children and youth in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, a neighborhood characterized by a variety of health and socio-economic barriers, including access to eye care. The vision screening took place over two days - August 9 and 10, 2016 at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute where these children and youth were enrolled in a summer day camp.
Through a sponsorship from the Pinball Clemens Foundation and Plastic Plus, the University of Waterloo (uWaterloo) Optometry Clinic administered vision screenings to 201 patients, of which 95 received full eye exams. The Optometry Clinic was represented by a team of 31 uWaterloo Optometry students, 14 Optometrists, 2 staff members, and 1 photographer.
Plastic Plus and their team of opticians provided spectacle correction based on the examination results, dispensing 63 pairs of glasses to the children participating in the vision screening initiative. Plastic Plus also provided the transportation for the uWaterloo Optometry Clinic team to and from the vision screening site.
Several options for ongoing optometric care were offered to the children and youth to whom corrective glasses were dispensed. Contact information for local optometrists was provided should these patients wish to arrange for follow-up eye care in their community. The uWaterloo Clinic also intends to offer follow-up care as needed.
The screening was also made possible by Innova, with the donation of a full examination lane and NCT (Non Contact Tonometer), and Zeiss with the provision of optometric equipment and assistance during the 2 days.
Devon Jones, lead for Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (YAAACE) expressed his gratitude on behalf of the children and their families: “Thank you for your commitment and generosity. This was truly an amazing opportunity for our students and community.”
The screening initiative also provided a great experience for the uWaterloo Optometry students who benefited from the opportunity to learn about the eye care needs of a patient population, typically not seen in the University Clinic.
