SOURCE: Live With Vision

 

PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - July 8, 2008) -

THE STORY      Undiagnosed vision problems in children is a growing issue
               that contributes to a child's performance in school and
               overall behavior. Many children are struggling with issues
               at school and at home that are stemming from unidentified
               and undiagnosed vision problems.

WHAT           Goodyear Mayor James Cavanaugh, The Boys & Girls Club of
               Metropolitan Phoenix and Eyeglass World team up as part of
               the national Live With Vision program to identify
               underprivileged Phoenix children who are in need of
               eyeglasses, and provide them with proper eyewear at no cost.
               The event also marks the opening of the new Eyeglass World
               location.

WHO            James Cavanaugh, Mayor of Goodyear, AZ; Bridget McDonald,
               director of operations, Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan
               Phoenix; noted Phoenix optometrist Gary Baron; and
               underprivileged Phoenix-area children and their parents.

WHEN           Saturday, July 12, 2008, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. Mayor Cavanaugh
               will be officially welcoming Eyeglass World to its new
               location at 11:00 a.m.  Vision screenings with the children
               will be taking place 10:00 a.m.-12 noon.

WHERE          Eyeglass World, 15465 W. McDowell Road #101,
               Goodyear, AZ 85338

THE FACTS      Approximately 80 percent of all learning during a child's
               first 12 years is obtained through the eyes; 86 percent of
               children do not receive an eye exam during that time.

               More than 70 percent of juvenile offenders have undiagnosed
               vision problems. Eye exams can address some of the
               underlying factors contributing to juvenile delinquency, and
               can lead to proper vision correction in children who might
               otherwise struggle with learning and behavioral issues.

               Children who do not receive proper vision care generally
               perform significantly below their capability in school and
               during extracurricular activities. Many children who are
               doing poorly in school have undiagnosed vision problems and,
               after receiving the proper care, significantly improve their
               grades and behavior.

               Nearly 30 percent of the children identified during vision
               screenings as needing professional eye and vision care or
               treatment do not comply with the recommendations and receive
               that care.

               10 million children in the U.S. suffer from vision problems,
               and vision disorders are the leading cause of handicapping
               conditions in children.

LIVE WITH      Live With Vision is a national program developed by Eyeglass
VISION         World and The LASIK Vision Institute that provides eye care
               products and services to children and adults in need, and
               raises awareness of the importance of vision screenings and
               proper eye care. The program focuses on children with
               undiagnosed vision problems whose families cannot afford eye
               exams and eyeglasses, and adults who are in the process of
               rebuilding their lives and experiencing financial hardship.