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Vision disorders are the most prevalent disabling childhood condition in the United States. An estimated 58,000 children in Utah struggle in school due to poor eyesight, and only half of those who need vision correction receive it. Friends for Sight is an organization working passionately each day to save sight and change lives. They provide free vision screenings to over 45,000 Utahns each year; ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds have access to quality eye care; and provide information about eye safety, threats to vision, and available community resources. Friends for Sight operates a Vision Clinic in the Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center, where volunteer Optometrists and Ophthalmologists provide free professional eye exams. Children need to be able to see well to read, learn, and develop social skills. Those with uncorrected vision are more likely to drop out of school and may face lifelong struggles with literacy, low self-esteem, unemployment, and poverty. SelectHealth recognizes the impactful work by Friends for Sight as another example of how Utah Gives Back.
