KIDSIGHT South Dakota
KIDSIGHT South Dakota is a free statewide vision screening program provided to children ages 12 months and up. Our trained volunteers will come right to your school or daycare! We use the latest technology and equipment to detect many eye problems. The vision screening machine simply takes a picture of the child's eyes and within seconds provides accurate results. No physical contact is made with the child and no eye drops are required. Parental consent is required with all screenings. If you would like to schedule a screening click the schedule a screening button on this page. Or if you would like to learn more about this wonderful program contact us today for more information.
Why vision screening?
The first few years of a child’s life are critical in the development of good vision. Preschoolers should have their vision checked for issues such as misaligned eyes, and problems that need correction with eyeglasses. These problems are not always evident by simply looking at a child. Young children often compensate for vision problems so well that parents, teachers, and pediatricians are unaware of a problem. By the time a child is old enough to be in primary grades, many of these common vision-robbing conditions can no longer be effectively treated. Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, can develop when an undetected vision problem goes untreated during a child’s formative years. The incidence of amblyopia in the United States is estimated to be 3 to 5% of the population. Vision problems can also result in learning difficulties as a child enters the primary grades.
Because the eye is almost completely developed by the time a child is six years old, early detection of vision issues is mandatory in enabling critical physical and mental development and preventing sight-robbing diseases. Less than 20 percent of children receive a comprehensive eye exam prior to age six. Studies show that during a child's first 12 years, 80 percent of all learning is obtained visually. And down the road, studies indicate 70 percent of juvenile delinquents are found to have a vision problem.
Changing Lives
Through our KIDSIGHT program, we have referred thousands of South Dakota's children to an eye doctor for further examination and treatment. Most parents of those children had no idea their child had any problems with their eyes. But because of the Lions vision screening program, they were able to get their child the medical care they needed.
With over 100,000 kids in South Dakota ages 12 and under, the demand for our program is greatly increasing. Lions have led the way to ensuring South Dakotans have the best hearing and vision care possible, and our goal to make sure all children in our state have an annual vision screening both important and attainable. Please consider supporting this work by making a donation today.
