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<  Realeyes™ Ohio Optometric Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Linda Fette
O: 614-781-0708
info@ooa.org

Students Focus on Vision

COLUMBUS (2008) ‑ "Vision is important in childhood learning, and vision care is critical to the academic development of Ohio's children," said Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD of The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

With that in mind, eye doctors in Ohio give Realeyes presentations throughout the state to kindergarten through eighth grade students.

"The Adventures of Rhet and Tina" includes a video with puppets and hands-on activities teaching students in Kindergarten through second grade the importance of vision health and eye safety.

"The Case of Vinny Vision" lesson uses optical illusions to teach eye health and safety and the importance of vision care to students in third through fifth grade.

"Vision: Impossible" is a spoof on modern spy movies for middle school students focusing on eye health and safety and the importance of vision care.

Realeyes connects classrooms with eye doctors in the community. Now in its seventh year, Realeyes has been presented to over 300,000 students in schools throughout Ohio. The Ohio Optometric Association, through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health Save Our Sight fund, created three age-appropriate, standardized, interactive classroom presentations. An individual, online curriculum is available for High School students at www.ooa.org/realeyes. All curricula are offered at no charge to schools. Funds are generated through donations given at license and registration renewal at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

"The Realeyes Education Initiative was created to educate children and their parents that vision care is important for a child's success," said Dr. Zadnik.

"Eighty percent of what a child learns is through sight, yet research shows one in four children has an undetected eye disorder. A vision problem that could easily be corrected, if left undetected can be devastating, with effects that can last a lifetime," added Dr. Zadnik.

For more information on the Realeyes Classroom Initiative, contact the Realeyes team at (614) 781-0708 or at info@ooa.org, or visit www.ooa.org.

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