Nov 4, 2009 7:12 pm US/Eastern
Vision Center Helping Boston Students See Better
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Te Vision Eye Center that has been in the Boston Renaissance Charter Public Schoolfor two full school years.
WBZ
A Boston Charter School has an innovative way to make sure their students are able to see in class. Boston Renaissance Charter Public School has a Vision Eye Center in school where kids can get eye exams and follow up treatments for serious eye problems.
Hannah Withington, 7, wasn't focusing in class and would often stare at the ceiling during circle time. "She is a very smart child and her work didn't really go hand in hand with what she was capable of doing," says her teacher Maggie Sanchez-Gleason.
Jonathan Bennett, 10, would fall asleep in class. "When I was reading, I couldn't go through the lines or anything," says Jonathan.
Their teachers sent them right downstairs to the Vision Eye Center that has been in the school for two full school years. The center is a partnership with the New England Eye Institute. Doctor Catherine Johnson, optometry students and the school nurse screened 1,250 students last school year and referred 350 for follow up treatments. One hundred fifty of those students needed glasses.
It's a way to get kids the care they need if their parents don't have the money or time to do it.
"I think there are those big gaps in care, especially in urban environments where the kids aren't getting the care… There were lots of children that we're monitoring really closely to make sure their vision isn't impacting their learning," says Dr. Johnson.
Hannah and Jonathan have new glasses and can see the results. They are both getting A's and B's and are paying attention in class.
Superintendent Dr. Roger Harris hopes to spread the health. "We think this is a model that can and should be replicated in other places. One of the things that we hope is to collaborate with the Boston Public School system and have them bring their kids over to our school," says Dr. Harris.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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