Friends for Sight
What is Friends for Sight?
The program has two kinds of opportunities for service:
1. Vision Screenings - Vision disorders are a prevalent disabling condition to individuals of all ages. However, with a simple test, screening participants can be alerted to potential vision problems that are preventable. However, many individuals lack the resources to seek out eye care for themselves and their family members. Working with state agencies, school nurses, health care providers and community groups, our volunteers help us to ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds have access to quality eye care. They also help to spread information about eye safety, threats to vision, and available community resources.
2. Eyeglass Sorting - Participate in service events for Charity Vision, an international organization, by sorting glasses that have been donated.
How do I get involved?
Vision Screenings:
Vision screenings are scheduled as needed, so please let the leaders know you would like to be trained so they can keep you updated about events.
Charity Vision:
Projects sorting donated eyeglasses will be held once in Spring Term and once in Summer Term.
Thursday, May 2, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, WSC 3215
Thursday, July 11, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, WSC 3250
Please contact friendsforsight@byu.edu with any questions about either opportunity.
Volunteer Commitment:
Friends for Sight Vision Screenings: Volunteers are expected to commit 20 hours per year - 10 hours per semester. (Fall and Winter Semesters are approximately 14 weeks each.)
Charity Vision Events: No commitment required.
Training:
Friends for Sight Vision Screenings: A one-hour training is required since vision screenings are hands-on and involve the use of specialized equipment. Please complete this mandatory 25-minute Minor Protection Training online before you begin working with this program.
Charity Vision Events: No training required.
Volunteering with Friends For Sight has been amazing. It's fun interacting with patients, performing screenings, and giving out glasses to those who really need them. I love that as a student I feel like I can make a huge difference in someone's quality of life by giving them access to proper eye care.
Dear Friends For Sight, I cannot thank you enough for the screening you did at Delilah's preschool last October. Because of you I was able to take her to an optometrist in November where we found out she has amblyopia and melanoma on her eye. The optometrist was AMAZED that her lazy eye was caught this early, because it usually doesn't happen until after a child is struggling to read. We started with glasses and after 6 months we started an eye patch. Everywhere we go Lila is complimented on her eye patch and glasses, she beams with pride every time and brags "I'm a pirate! My eye is learning to see better!" And I boast about Friends For Sight for catching it so early. Lila will be starting kindergarten in the fall and I am exponentially grateful that we already know her eyes need extra help to make reading possible.