Yearly eye exams are a critical part of health care. However, some people in the community cannot afford this important service or pay for eye glasses.
Groups Step In To Help
The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington and Oak Chapel United Methodist Church in Silver Spring are trying to help close that gap. The church will host students from more than 60 families on Saturday, May 13th from 9:30 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. The students attend Jackson Road Elementary School, Georgian Forest Elementary School, and Highland Elementary School.
Services Provided
Each student will have an eye exam and doctors will provide prescriptions for eye glasses. Students will walk away with two free pairs of eye glasses, if they need them.
Two doctors are volunteering their time to provide the exams. The Prevention of Blindness Society is holding the event at the church as part of its Glasses4 Scholars program. The non-profit group, Children’s Opportunity Alliance, provided money to the Prevention of Blindness Society through a grant last year to help pay for events like this. Montgomery County Public Schools and the Health Care Initiative Foundation have partnered with the program to put on Saturday’s event.
“This will be the first eye exam for many of the students since the start of the pandemic,” said Serge Thomas, Oak Chapel’s Hub Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships.
“One of the big factors for students who struggle in school is they can’t really see, can’t follow instructions, can’t follow what is written on a chalkboard or white board. It is difficult to keep up with classwork if you are visually impaired. Eye care is a critical part of health care,” Thomas added.
“In our community, students are needlessly struggling in the classroom, and through programs like this we are setting them up for a lifetime of success,” said Nick Farano, senior director of development and marketing for the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington.
Students In Need
The students chosen to get the eye exams live mostly in the mid-County region. This area covers parts of Silver Spring, Wheaton, Olney, Aspen Hill, and Glenmont. A lot of immigrants and poor people live in this region and are in desperate need of these services.
“It is the most underserved area in the state,” Thomas said.
Oak Chapel held a similar event last year for students, and hopes to do another one next year.
Food Hub And Other Services
Oak Chapel United Ministries also serves as a food hub in the County. It is one of eight hubs that has provided food to members of the community since the start of the pandemic. Oak Chapel provides other social services such as hosting the free eye exams that will happen on Saturday. One of the church’s goals is to continue to form partnerships with organizations that will provide health care to people in need.
