KIDSIGHT South Dakota

KIDSIGHT South Dakota is a premier, cost-free vision screening initiative dedicated to protecting the sight of children across the state. From 6 month olds to 18 year olds, our mission is to identify vision issues early—ensuring every child has the visual foundation they need to succeed.

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How It Works

We bring the clinic to you! Our volunteers visit schools, daycares and events equipped with state-of-the-art screening technology.

  • Fast & Non-Invasive: The device captures a specialized image of the eyes in seconds.

  • No Contact: There are no eye drops, no physical contact, and no discomfort for the child.

Why Early Screening Matters

The first few years of life are the "golden window" for visual development. Often, vision problems are invisible to the naked eye. Children are remarkably good at adapting to poor sight, meaning parents and teachers might never realize a struggle exists until it’s too late.

Key Facts:

  • The Age Six Milestone: By age six, a child’s eyes are almost fully developed. If conditions like Amblyopia (lazy eye) aren't caught early, they can become permanent.

  • Learning is Visual: Roughly 80% of all learning during a child’s first 12 years happens through their eyes.

  • The Hidden Gap: Less than 20% of children receive a professional eye exam before starting school. Undiagnosed vision issues are frequently linked to learning hurdles and behavioral challenges later in life.

Our Impact: Changing Lives Across South Dakota

The South Dakota Lions Foundation has already connected thousands of families with essential eye care. In many cases, parents were completely unaware of a problem until our screening flagged it.

With over 100,000 children under the age of 12 in our state, the need for KIDSIGHT is greater than ever. Our goal is simple: to ensure every child in South Dakota receives an annual vision screening.

Help Us Protect Their Sight. Your contributions allow us to keep this service free for every school and daycare in the state. [DONATE TO KIDSIGHT TODAY]