FAQs

Without good vision, a child’s ability to learn and enjoy the world around them becomes more difficult. Children with untreated eye problems can worsen and can cause a child other serious problems impacting their ability to learn and properly develop.  Untreated eye problems, such as amblyopia, are very serious and can lead to the loss of vision if not detected and treated early in life.

Vision problems affect 25% of school-aged children and 5% of preschool children.  Since many eye problems begin at an early age and may be more effectively treated early on, it is important for all children to receive proper eye care.

When Sight Savers was founded, children’s eye care was one of the most neglected health care needs among Alabama’s children, and there was no understanding or agreement on the definition of follow-up eye care. Sight Savers defined follow-up through our innovative programs by providing case-managed services from the initial referral to the eye examination to the final treatment, helping each child achieve his or her best possible vision.

There is no other program in the country that provides the same level of case managed eye care for children.  The American Public Health Association has cited Sight Savers America as a national model for children’s eye care.

Sight Savers America has a diverse funding base. Funding sources include governmental agencies (Alabama Dept of Education, Alabama Dept of Human Resources, Mississippi Dept of Education, etc), dozens of local/state/national foundations, special fundraising events and individual/corporate donations. We are in constant pursuit of new funding sources to provide eye care to 40,000 children each year and expand these services to as many children as possible.

Children are referred to Sight Savers America from numerous vision screening agencies (using different types of screening techniques), school personnel (nurses, special education teachers and teachers of the visually impaired), eye doctors (optometrists and ophthalmologists), other eye care professionals (opticians, low vision specialists, etc), other non-profit organizations and anyone else who is aware of an underserved child who needs eye care.

Yes, Sight Savers America wants to identify partnerships anywhere in the United States with organizations who have a mission to provide eye care for children. Collaborative programs can be in four areas: case managed follow-up eye care for children, vision screening for children, high tech assistive technology in the homes of children with severe visual impairment and school based health screenings. The three most important components of a successful collaborating partnership are: 1) a dedicated mission to develop a meaningful program that truly provides follow-up eye care (not just referral) to children and a methodology that measures the outcomes for each and every child (not just anecdotal results) 2) funding  is needed for pilot projects that can then grow into comprehensive programs and 3) a true desire to work together to create a synergistic relationship that benefits the children and all parties involved without territoriality issues. Sight Savers always works with the partnering organization to ensure that there is NO interference with current funders and that, instead, new funding is developed.

Every family requesting services must complete an intake process to determine if their child or children qualify for Sight Savers’ assistance. During an intake process the parent/guardian should be prepared to answer questions regarding the child’s previous vision and medical history, child’s insurance status and family’s income level. The intake process takes approximately 5 – 10 minutes, but can take longer if further information is needed.

If you have a child with low vision and are interested in assistance, please contact the Manager of Vision Rehabilitation Services, at 877-942-2627 ext 216.

If you have a child in need of an eye exam and are interested in assistance, please contact our Eye Care Services department at 877-942-2927 ext 233.

Low vision is a medical term defined as chronic disabling visual impairments that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or medical or surgical treatment.” Some common vision disorders contributing to low vision are: Nystagmus, Ocular Albinism, Glaucoma, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Macular Degeneration, Aniridia, and Stargardt’s just to name a few. Although visual field, contrast and other factors play a role, a child can usually be considered low vision if he/she has a visual acuity of 20/200 or higher.

In general, children between 5 and 19, but occasionally younger children with specific circumstances care considered.

Sight Savers America will have it repaired or replaced at no cost to the family.

Yes, as long as your family qualifies for our program (most families do qualify) and Sight Savers America has funding for your area.

Sight Savers America asks the parent to provide their new address and phone numbers, so we can call every six months until their child’s 19^th birthday to follow-up on their progress.  Sight Savers America will never remove vision aids from a child that needs it. If the child no longer uses the equipment, Sight Savers America asks the family to return it to us so we can give it to another child.

Sight Savers America will pick up the equipment and donate it to another child. Sight Savers America will then schedule an evaluation for blind services to include blind aids. Sight Savers America would then purchase the blind aids for your child and have your child trained on its use.