Davis Vision, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Provide Free Eye Care to Children

“Focus on America” Program Visits Atlanta’s NFL Youth Education Town After-School Program

PLAINVIEW, NY (June 2, 2009) – Fewer than 20 percent of children in the United States are adequately screened for vision problems that affect one in 200 preschoolers and one in four school-age children. To help children in need in Atlanta, Davis Vision, a Highmark company, recently brought its “Focus on America” vision outreach program to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s NFL Youth Education Town. Free vision screenings were offered to members of the organization’s after-school program.

“The event was huge success,” said Monica Trimble, executive director of the NFL/Youth Education Town Children Boys & Girls Club. “The kids were thrilled that they will be receiving the eyewear they need.”

Davis Vision conducts its vision outreach events throughout the nation to provide services to individuals who might otherwise not receive proper vision care. Sixty children participated in the vision screening held at the NFL Youth Education Town, and 35 were determined to be in need of more comprehensive vision care. Each of those children received a voucher for a complete eye exam and prescription eyeglasses at any area Visionworks store.

“One of our goals with Focus on America is to help children receive the vision care they need for proper development,” said Laura Dyer, Davis Vision’s assistant vice president of Community Outreach and Media Relations. “Eighty percent of what a child learns is visual. That’s why regular eye exams are so important.”

About Davis Vision

Davis Vision is part of the HVHC Inc. group of companies, which also includes Viva International Group and Eye Care Centers of America. One of the nation's premier managed vision care companies, Davis Vision has been providing comprehensive vision benefits for over 45 years, and currently serves over 55 million members nationwide through an extensive blended network of approximately 30,000 participating ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers.