is to provide a safe haven, high quality care and hope for the future to children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected.
Dr. Casey conducts an exam Ben Craig of Bausch + Lomb
at the Children’s Shelter. helps a child choose frames.
Marty and Vickie Burlsworth represent “Eyes of a Champion.”
BENTONVILLE, AR (Aug. 15, 2011) — A global eye health company, a Bentonville eye doctor and a foundation that bears the name of a bespectacled football hero have joined forces to ensure that residents of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter have a clear view of the blackboard … and a better future.
Bausch + Lomb has teamed with Vanessa D. Casey, O.D., of Casey Eye Care (406 S. Walton Blvd.) in Bentonville and the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation’s “Eyes of a Champion” program to assess and address the vision needs of the school-aged victims of child abuse and neglect who are in the Children’s Shelter’s care. The vision screening has been timed to coincide with the start of the new school year. The Children’s Shelter’s On-site School and many public schools begin classes today.
Dr. Casey performed initial screening exams for 24 children Saturday at the Children’s Shelter to determine which of them might have vision concerns. Today, 22 of those children received more in-depth eye exams at Dr. Casey’s office, which was closed to other patients to protect the privacy of the Children’s Shelter residents. Children who need contact lenses will receive a full year’s supply, along with lens-care supplies and accessories, courtesy of Bausch + Lomb. Children who need spectacles (glasses) will receive “Eyes of a Champion” vouchers to receive free lenses and frames at a Walmart or Sam’s Club Optical Center. Bausch + Lomb also provided lunch and snacks for the kids and gave “goodie bags” to all the participants and planned activities for kids to participate in while waiting for their exam or screening. Additionally, children who did not require an eye exam received a certificate for having good vision.
Vision for a better life
“Studies show that 80 percent of all learning comes from vision, but good eyesight is something many of us may take for granted,” said Bill Oliver, Vice President, Business Development with Bausch + Lomb’s Northwest Arkansas office in Rogers. “Bausch + Lomb has a long history of community involvement, and the company’s mission is to help people see better so they can live better. We can think of no group more deserving of the help we can give than kids at the Children’s Shelter.”
Dr. Casey said the project offers her another opportunity to improve the quality of life in the community she serves and for children who are at risk. “Not being able to see clearly puts children at a distinct disadvantage in the classroom and in many other areas of life,” Dr. Casey said. “Identifying and correcting a vision problem can position a child for a greater degree of success. It is our goal to help give these kids every advantage possible. It is gratifying to hear stories about children who may have been struggling in school but who begin to excel, once their vision problem has been corrected.”
Unfortunately, many children cared for by the Children’s Shelter may not know they have a vision problem, because they have not had an eye exam in recent memory, said Steve Schotta, Executive Director of the Children’s Shelter. “When a child comes to us, we perform an array of medical, dental, emotional and academic evaluations,” Schotta explained. “We do this because we have learned that, all too often, the child’s most basic needs – including vision needs – may not have been sufficiently addressed. Accordingly, we are grateful for supporters such as Dr. Casey, Bausch + Lomb and the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, whose generosity enables us to see that our children’s vision needs are met, while conserving our financial resources.”
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com.
About Casey Eye Care
Casey Eye Care provides a comprehensive range of vision-care services to the people of the greater Bentonville area. Dr. Casey, who has been practicing in the Bentonville area for three and a half years, hails from Northwest Arkansas and is a 2003 University of Arkansas graduate. Dr. Casey received her Doctorate of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry.
About the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation & the “Eyes of a Champion” program
The late Brandon Burlsworth, a native of Harrison and a stand-out offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team, was known for the trademark black, horn-rimmed glasses he wore on the field. After his tragic death in an auto accident at age 22, his family established a foundation that has helped thousands of Arkansas children. Its mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children – in particular those children who have limited opportunities. The foundation encourages developing positive values, strong faith lives and a life pattern that would exemplify “Doing It The Burls Way.” “The Eyes of a Champion,” founded in 2007, takes on the issue of eye care for the children of Arkansas. The foundation, in cooperation with Walmart & Sam’s Club Optical Centers, provides free vision exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children who would otherwise not receive the eye care and eyewear they need to do their best work in school and perform their best at play. This program is available to every public school nurse and counselor in Arkansas. The Burlsworth Foundation’s vision is to extend this program to the surrounding states and eventually nationwide.
