Delco Officials Name Oct. 29 Give Kids Sight Day

The Delaware County Council declared Oct. 29 Give Kids Sight Day and will offer a free eye clinic at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia Saturday, Oct. 29, according to a county press release.

Give Kids Sight Day's goal is to remind families of the importance of preventative eye care and regular eye exams, the county said.

"Vision is one of the senses that we all value and sometimes take for granted. Across the country, millions of men, women and children experience vision loss or are affected by low vision or blindness," said Vice Chair Colleen Morrone. "Regular eye exams are one way to prevent or address vision loss."

Several organizations partner each year to offer a free eye care and eyeglasses clinic at Wills Eye Hospital, one of the world’s premier eye care facilities, to encourage preventative eye care in children, the county said.

The clinic at Wills Eye Hospital is open to all kids in the five-county region who are 17 years old and under. Health insurance is not required to use the clinic. Wills Eye Hospital is located at 840 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107.

The American Optometric Association encourages parents to have a comprehensive eye exam for their children starting as early as six months of age, the county said. Another time that is critical for a child’s eye exam is right before they start kindergarten or first grade, according to the county.

Carol Poplawski of Darby Township, a Sight Day volunteer for the past five years, told the council how meaningful it is to see children realize they can see and read better with glasses when needed, the county said.

The Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health is a member of the Children’s Vision Care Coalition, which organizes the free clinic, according to the county. Other partners include Wills Eye, the Eagles Charitable Foundation and the Public Citizens for Children and Youth, the county said.

Shown, from left in the first row, in the photo above are: Delaware County Senior Medical Advisor George Avetian; Assistant Director of Intercommunity Health Helen McGoohan; Sight Day volunteer Carol Poplawski; Council Vice Chair Colleen Morrone; Director of Intercommunity Health Lori Devlin; and Colleen McCauley and Blair Gallante with Public Citizens for Children and Youth. Second row from left are: Councilman Mike Culp; Chairman Mario Civera Jr.; Councilman John McBlain; and Councilman Dave White.

Image via Delaware County Council