Did you know that Kids Vision for Life - St. Louis (KVFL) has gone high tech? KVFL now uses The Spot Vision Screener, a handheld portable device that quickly and easily detects vision issues. This state-of-the-art equipment helps KVFL accurately screen students -- even squirmy preschoolers who don’t yet know the alphabet.
KVFL purchased two Spots through funding from The Saigh Foundation and a family foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. Additional recent funding from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Healthy Vision Association means that KVFL is on pace this school year to screen more than 37,000 students from low-income families and provide more than 5,000 free custom-fit eyeglasses in 14 local school districts.
KVFL’s school-based impact has expanded by a factor of more than 50 (more than 5,000%) since its inaugural year in 2009, when KVFL served one urban core school district with vision screenings for 700 students and provided 80 eyeglasses. This spectacular growth, including the purchase of KVFL’s own mobile clinic van, is made possible by a “visionary” partnership with ARCHS, Crown Vision Center, Essilor Vision Foundation, University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry, and a blend of funder organizations, individual donors, and volunteers. As always, KVFL remains committed to providing its comprehensive vision services at no cost to the students or their families.