Free Vision Screenings To Benefit 12,000 Cleveland-Area Preschool Children

February 17, 2012

Vision disorders are fourth most common disability among children in the United States

Cleveland, February 20, 2012 –Working to help fill a void in early childhood vision testing, a new collaboration with Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland will allow the Cleveland Sight Center to provide 12,000 Cleveland-area children with vision screening in 300 local preschools. Qualified Sanford-Brown healthcare students will volunteer more than 160 hours of screening time, adding to the number of preschool children the Cleveland Sight Center program will reach.

The United States Preventative Services Task Force  (USPSTF) recommends vision screening for all children at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 years, to detect the presence of amblyopia or its risk factors.*

“Sanford-Brown is helping us address a very serious early childhood issue in our community,” said Gary Convertino, Director, Human Resources and Volunteer Services at the Cleveland Sight Center. “Vision problems often go undetected during early childhood. Undiagnosed, they can lead to cognitive issues and permanent vision loss.”

Since the program began in September 2011, Sanford-Brown students have screened more than 2,300 preschool aged children in and around Cleveland. Of those students screened, more than 300 have been referred to eye care professionals for follow-up as a result of the testing. 

Due to its ongoing commitment to community service, Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland recently received the 2012 Community Service Recognition Award from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The award acknowledges the outstanding community service effort the college has developed with the Cleveland Sight Center and the free vision screening program.

“This award reflects the school’s commitment to not only bettering our students’ lives, but also those within our community,” said Christine Laudato, Director of Community and Alumni Outreach at Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland. “With service learning opportunities built into our curriculum, our graduates are prepared to enter the workforce with the technical skills necessary in their chosen field.”

A parent or preschool administrator can find out more information about the Cleveland Sight Center vision screening program and how they can participate by calling 216-658-8768.

* Pediatrics 2011 Vol. 127 No. 2 February 1, 2011; Vision Screening for Children 1 to 5 Years of Age: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

About Cleveland Sight Center: Cleveland Sight Center, a nonprofit agency, has been helping people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired since 1906. The agency provides vision rehabilitation, education, recreation and related support services to its clients, helping them to improve their quality of life, and to live as safely and independently as possible. It is one of the most comprehensive agencies of its kind, serving people from across the country. Cleveland Sight Center is a CARF-accredited vision rehabilitation facility. Please visit www.ClevelandSightCenter.org.

About Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland
Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland (SBC) opened in 1993.The curriculum at SBC is designed to help students gain the specific skills and knowledge that employers are seeking. Programs vary by location. Sanford-Brown College-Cleveland is institutionally accredited (accredited in total) by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Most Sanford-Brown Colleges and Institutes are accredited by ACICS. SBI-Monroeville and Pittsburgh are accredited by both the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS and ACCSC are both national accrediting agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE). SBC-Cleveland is located at 17535 Rosbough Drive, Suite 100, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. SBC-Cleveland cannot guarantee employment or salary.  SBC-Cleveland is part of the Career Education Corporation network of universities, colleges and schools (NASDAQ: CECO). Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.sanfordbrown.edu/disclosures. For more information, please go to www.sanfordbrown.edu/cleveland.