SAN ANGELO, Texas — Sight Savers America partnered up with low vision optometrists and local school systems to provide vision aids for children across West Texas. Low vision doctors were able to figure out the needs of the children through an hour-long evaluation. SSA provided a vision aid free of charge to families to take home.
In a city where there are no low vision specialists, several families received the help they would have had to travel miles to find. After an hour-long exam, Francisco Zavala was given a device that will help living with low vision a little easier. Francisco and his mother, Belia are grateful for the help.
“The doctor told him what was best and it will be good for him to try the equipment and learn how to use it and that way improve on his reading and his daily basis, " Belia Zavala said.
Doctors say that aside from being hard to find, these necessary services are often expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. The funding for the services and vision aids are funded by Kickapoo Springs Foundation.
“A lot of times kids that do have low vision conditions go undetected or don't get the initial services that they need. With the low vision exam we will be able to detect what kind of difficulties they are having not only in school but in their normal day to day life,” Low vision optometrist Dr. Joyce Zhang said.
Dr. Zhang and Dr. Valdez will be traveling to rural parts of West Texas throughout the week to treat children. SSA will make their next stop in the city of Abilene this Wednesday.