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Kids Programs

Each year, POB impacts more than 13,000 community members through our evidence-based programs for children and adults with low vision. These programs include vision acuity and glaucoma screenings, eyeglasses distributions and fittings, educational events on vision health, low vision rehabilitation, resource assistance, support groups, and more.

Bright Eyes Children’s Vision Screening

Bright Eyes Children’s Vision Screening provides screenings for more than 6,000 local children each year. Screenings test for myopia (nearsightedness), and early childhood eye conditions including amblyopia (lazy eye), and strabismus (a turned eye or crossed eyes).

Undetected vision problems among children often lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. Screening at a young age allows for early detection and treatment that could prevent or slow vision loss.

Information for Parents

What happens at a vision screening?

We can screen for potential visual acuity and muscle imbalance problems using a photo-screening device. This is an automated, handheld device that captures a photo of your child’s eyes from a three-foot distance. It uses lights and sounds to help engage your child, and the screening takes less than 15 seconds.

Reading comprehension is not required at these vision screenings; we can screen children as young as three years old.

In certain instances, further screening may be required. This involves the child identifying letters from a six-foot distance. We use a single-use procluder (an eye cover) to screen one eye at a time. After, our screener faces the child and carefully tracks the motion of the child’s eye (from approximately one foot away) to screen for potential muscle imbalance issues.

The child is sent home with a form indicating whether they passed or need to see a vision professional.

How can I find financial aid for eye care?

Visit our Financial Resources page to find state and national programs that offer assistance for eye care. Also, learn more about our Affordable Eyeglasses Program that helps children and adults obtain new eyeglasses at a nominal cost.

Information for Education Professionals

POB’s Bright Eyes Screening Team has an excellent rapport with children. All members of the Bright Eyes Children’s Vision Screening Team have multiple years of experience with children and/or advanced education in early childhood education. Additionally, the Bright Eyes Children’s Vision Screening Team is experienced in screening children with disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments.

POB provides referrals to those children identified as having a vision problem and then follows up to ensure the children receive necessary medical attention. Each child is given the results of their vision screening to take home with them. A few days later, the parent/guardian of children with an identified vision problem will receive a detailed referral in the mail with their child’s score. This score is entered into a comprehensive database. The Bright Eyes Screening Team will follow up with the family and the school within six weeks if POB has not yet received evaluation results from the referral doctor. If needed, screeners will assist with making a doctor’s appointment.

Request a Screening

The Bright Eyes Children’s Vision Screening program is available to preschools, private and public schools, churches, synagogues, recreation centers, daycare centers, and Head Start programs. To request a screening at your site, please contact:

Claudia Wood

Claudia Wood
Senior Program Manager
(202) 234-1010, ext. 225
cwood@youreyes.org

Resources

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Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinic

Glasses4Scholars provides eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to school-age children in need at local schools and nonprofit organizations.

How does the Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinic work?

  1. A child with a vision challenge is identified (either by our host, such as a nurse at a school, or by our screening program).
  2. The child is examined by a volunteer licensed eye doctor on-site at the host location.
  3. If the prescription requires treatment with eyeglasses, the child selects their own frames from our collection. A licensed optician fits and measures the child for their glasses to ensure a proper fit.
  4. New eyeglasses are delivered to the host location approximately 2 to 3 weeks later.

For Schools and Nonprofit Organizations

What school or community is eligible for a Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinic?

Our program is generally provided to schools and nonprofit organizations serving children of families with significant needs. This program is provided on a case-by-case basis and depends on the program and volunteer eye doctor availability. Contact us for more information using the information below.

Can my school’s Kirwan Commission Education Funding (also known as “Kirwan Funds”) be used for this program in Maryland?

Yes. Please contact us using the information below for details about utilizing your school’s Kirwan funds.

What does a host location need to provide for a Glasses4Scholars Children’s Mobile Vision Health Clinic?

Host locations are asked to:

  • Provide space (contact us for space requirements).
  • Distribute and collect parent/guardian consent forms.
  • Promoting the Clinic within their community.
  • Ensure that the children served by this program are financially eligible to receive these services at no cost.
  • Provide volunteers for the day of the Clinic.

Please refer to the form Community Questionnaire/Requests to Organizations for more information on this topic.

Our students have already been screened. Can we still participate in this program?

Yes. Our program has three phases:

Phase 1: Vision screening
Phase 2: Eye exams provided by a licensed volunteer eye doctor and eyeglasses selection coordinated by a licensed optician
Phase 3: Eyeglasses dispensed and fitted by an optician

What are the minimum and the maximum number of children your program can serve?

Many factors contribute to the amount of time needed per child to provide our services, including the child’s age and eye health. Our vision screening program provides one-day services to groups of 20 to 150. For eye exams and eyeglasses, we request a minimum of 30 children (with signed consent forms).

How long do the Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinics generally last?

Many factors contribute to the amount of time needed per child to provide our services, including the child’s age and eye health. In general, 12 children can be screened an hour, while four children can be examined by an eye doctor in an hour. Our Clinics generally last four to six hours. Depending on the number of children and the needs of the school/host location, vision screenings and eye exams may or may not take place on the same day. Because eyeglasses must be ordered, eyeglasses fitting and dispensing happens two to four weeks later.

Are signed parent/guardian consent forms required?

A signed consent form is not required for a child receiving only a vision screening. A signed consent form is required for an eye exam.

How soon can I have a Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinic organized in my community?

Scheduling is based on several factors, including volunteer eye doctor availability, and in general, it takes at least six to eight weeks to organize a clinic. We also engage other professionals to support the program, including eye doctors in training (medical residents), medical students, ophthalmic technicians, etc. This coordination takes a considerable amount of time and effort. Our goal is to bring a clinic to your community as soon as possible.

What type of eye doctors volunteer during the clinics?

Volunteer eye doctors include licensed pediatric and general ophthalmologists and optometrists.

For Eye Care Professionals

We seek volunteer eye doctors, ophthalmic technicians, and opticians to help out during our Glasses4Scholars Mobile Vision Health Clinics. If you are an eye care professional and are interested in volunteering with our program, please visit our For Eye Care Professionals page.

For more information, contact:

Claudia Wood

Claudia Wood
Senior Program Manager
(202) 234-1010, ext. 225
cwood@youreyes.org

Resources

Web Resources

Events

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Affordable Eyeglasses Clinic

Book an Appointment Online

If you have a current prescription for eyeglasses but cannot afford the full cost of glasses, we are here to help.

Our Affordable Eyeglasses Clinic provides low-cost prescription eyeglasses in a respectful, welcoming environment. For more than 20 years, we have helped individuals across our community access the glasses they need to work, read, drive, and live independently.

Eyeglasses start at $40, including frames. If you use an accepted DC, Maryland, or Virginia Medicaid plan, there is no cost for covered eyeglasses.

Location:
415 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

The Clinic is open by appointment only.

You may:

Please read before scheduling:

  • A current eyeglasses prescription (less than one year old) is required.
  • We do not provide eye exams through this program.
  • If you need an eye exam and cost is a concern, please visit our Financial Resources for Eye Care page for information about Medicaid providers and other low-cost options in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription for eyeglasses?

Yes. You must have a current eyeglasses prescription less than one (1) year old. Please bring your prescription to your appointment.

Does the Eyeglasses Clinic provide eye exams?

No. We do not provide eye exams. If you need an exam and cannot afford one, please visit our Financial Resources for Eye Care page.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You may:

An appointment is required for your visit.

Can I walk in without an appointment?

No. We are unable to serve clients without an appointment.

How much does a pair of eyeglasses cost?

  • Eyeglasses start at $40 for a basic pair (frames included). Additional lens options cost extra.
  • If you use an accepted DC, Maryland, or Virginia Medicaid plan, there is no cost for covered eyeglasses.
  • For all other orders, full payment is required at the time of order. We accept cash, credit cards, or money orders.

Do you provide contact lenses?

No, we do not provide contact lenses.

Do you accept Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance?

We accept Medicaid plans from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. We do not accept Medicare or any other insurance plans. 

Because Medicaid plans vary by state and managed care organizations, we accept the following plans for eyeglasses:

District of Columbia Medicaid

  • DC Medicaid (Fee-for-Service)
  • AmeriHealth Caritas DC
  • MedStar Family Choice DC
  • Wellpoint DC
  • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)

Virginia Medicaid

  • Anthem HealthKeepers Plus
  • Virginia Medicaid (Fee-for-Service)

Maryland Medicaid

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan
  • Maryland Physicians Care
  • Maryland Medicaid (Fee-for-Service)
  • Wellpoint Maryland

How do I get to the Eyeglasses Clinic?

Our clinic is located at 415 2nd Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, near Union Station.

For detailed directions, parking information, public transportation options, and step-by-step building entry instructions, please visit our Washington, DC Location Information page.

For Social Service Agencies:

If you represent a social service agency and would like to apply for financial assistance on behalf of a client, please call:

(202) 234-1010, option 1

After the application is approved, the client must schedule an appointment.

Eyeglasses Recycling:

Visit our page on Eyeglasses Recycling to learn about donating used eyeglasses.

 

For more information, contact:

(202) 234-1010, option 1

Resources

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Testimonials

I applied for a job with Metro - I needed new eyeglasses so I could be a MetroBus operator. Thanks to POB, I was able to get new prescription eyeglasses at a price I could afford! Thank you!
Alex R.
Alex R.Washington, DC
I would like to thank POB for arranging virtual Low Vision Support & Resource Group events. I have found them extremely helpful.
Lois L.
Lois L.Silver Spring, MD
Thanks to POB for hosting events for individuals with low vision. It truly gives people a sense of community!
Sandy M.
Sandy M.Bethesda, MD
Thank you to the Prevention of Blindness Society for your kindness and generosity with the students of Highland Elementary School. Lives have been changed! The Linkages to Learning Center - and a lot of smiling kiddos - are beyond grateful for the work you all do!
Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary SchoolSilver Spring, MD
Thank you so much to POB for your professional, friendly, and courteous services. You are amazing and wonderful people. I am lucky to have my new eyeglasses! I can even see the spots on my husband's tie now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Katrina B.Arlington, VA
In 2002, your organization came to my preschool for a vision screening, and my parents learned that I had amblyopia. If I had not been screened by the Prevention of Blindness Society, I could have become completely blind in my right eye. This would have made some activities that I enjoy, like playing soccer, more difficult. Your screening saved my vision. Thank you for your continued efforts in providing vision care for those in need.
Chloé L.Olney, MD
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