EyeSEE Launches Collaboration to Detect Early Vision Problems

SPRINGFIELD — An estimated one in four school-aged children has vision problems. Many experts believe that 80{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of learning comes through a child’s eyes. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of vision problems are essential to learning.

In January 2014, Partners for a Healthier Community, an initiative of Baystate Health, partnered with Children’s Vision MA Coalition, Lions Club District 33Y, the Department of Early Education & Care, and five Springfield preschools (Children’s House, New North Citizens Council Child Care Center, Springfield Partners for Community Action New Beginnings Child Care Center, Square One, and YMCA Learning Center) to launch EyeSEE (early Screening, Education, Exams) to implement early vision screening in Springfield preschools.

EyeSEE is a systems-change model to assure all children have the opportunity to develop and retain their best possible vision to support healthy development and academic growth and to ensure all preschoolers enter kindergarten with good vision.

EyeSEE is now collaborating with Gayathri Srinivasan, assistant professor at New England College of Optometry, to launch the Zero to Three Research Study designed to create a system that detects vision problems in all children from birth to age 3.

Partners for a Healthier Community (PHC) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the public’s health by fostering innovation, leveraging resources, and building partnerships across sectors, including government agencies, communities, the healthcare-delivery system, media, and academia.