A group of Optometrists and donors are helping provide free eye exams for children whose families lack insurance and cannot afford them. Two of the providers participating are located in Minot.

The Optometric Foundation of North Dakota has a program called Vision Start that provides vouchers to provide free eye exams for children ages 4-7 whose families meet income guidelines. For many North Dakota families-in-need, a significant barrier to receiving vision care is cost or lack of insurance.

Undiagnosed vision problems can delay child development, stifle academic growth, and lead to permanent vision loss. That’s why early detection and treatment from an eye doctor is critical to prevent lazy eye, astigmatism, and cancer.

Before age 6, it is recommended that children have 3 eye exams, yet 50% of these children have never received an eye exam, and 24% of parents wait for their child to have symptoms.

Vision Start exists to ensure that families who meet income guidelines, will receive FREE comprehensive eye exams for their pre-kindergarten kids.

Vision Start is supported by the Optometric Foundation of North Dakota and generous donors across North Dakota, including Lions Clubs across the state. Exams will be reimbursed to the provider’s office at a rate of $100 by the Optometric Foundation of North Dakota.

Here are the steps for families to receive a free comprehensive eye exam:

1.           Visit https://ofnd.org/visionstart/

2.           Click the “Apply Now” button to apply

3.           Fill out and submit your application

4.           Then schedule your appointment with one of the 50 participating providers across ND, with Johnson Eyecare and Eyewear and Eyes On Burdick participating in the Minot area.

This program is vital to the development of a child’s eye health, early detection is critical when 1 in 4 kids entering kindergarten has a vision problem, 60% of problem learners have undetected vision problems, and 80% of everything a child learns relies on vision.

If you have any questions about the program, call the DakotaFoundation at (701) 271-0263.