Overview
Launched in Alberta in 2003 by the Association of Optometrists partnered with public schools, the Ministry of Children’s Services, the Eye See…Eye Learn project was designed to ensure eye health and vision problems weren’t a factor in preventing children from reaching their full learning potential.
Parents of kindergarten students were encouraged to obtain comprehensive eye health and vision examinations for their children through local optometrists or ophthalmologists.
Raising the awareness of the importance of eye health examinations resulted in 30% more kindergarten children having their eyes examined. In children at this age level, it is common for approximately 6% to be prescribed eyeglasses and about 8% to have a binocular or accommodative vision problems. This means that 14% of kindergarten-aged children will have some form of a vision problem.
Based on these results, and on further deployments, OAO is launching Eye See...Eye Learn in Ontario in conjunction with partnering school boards this fall. As part of this initiative, OAO will be utilizing the Fribbit Eye See…Eye Learn mascot; designed to make learning about eye health and getting their eyes examined project more fun for children.
Teachers have resource material for their classrooms where Fribbit is highlighted as they teach about eye health and eye safety. Optometrists have Fribbit in their offices as well so the children can identify with him at the time of their eye exam.