Eyes On Learning
Eyes On Learning is a coalition of state, local, and national organizations dedicated to improving the vision health of Arizona’s children. Because healthy vision is critical to learning and success in school, partners in Eyes On Learning work together so that Arizona children with vision problems are identified early and receive an eye exam and the follow-up treatment they need.
Why Children’s Vision Matters
Most of what children learn comes from their visual processing of information. Healthy vision is especially vital in early childhood and the early grades, when children develop the literacy skills they need to learn to read proficiently and be successful in school.
But young children don’t know what they can’t see and rarely complain about vision problems.
Undetected and uncorrected vision problems make it hard for students to focus, participate in class, and make educational progress. They can also affect children’s social development and overall health and well-being. In some cases, undetected vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss.
The good news is that vision screening to detect potential problems is easy and effective, and the most common childhood vision problems can usually be treated with glasses.
Our Approach
Launched in 2016, Eyes On Learning works to advance effective programs, policies, and investments to provide regular vision screenings for Arizona children and connect those with potential problems to eye exams and follow-up treatment. We also help raise awareness of the importance of children’s vision health with families, educators, health providers, and community partners across Arizona.
We take a public health approach, bringing together partners from across sectors and communities to work in coordination and alignment toward our shared goals.
Led by the Eyes On Learning director, our collaborative efforts are guided by an advisory board composed of representatives from state agencies, schools and school districts, institutes of higher learning, philanthropy, business, and organizations working in public health, health care, early childhood, and early literacy. Our board also includes a representative of Arizona families.
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is a founding partner and lead funder of Eyes On Learning, and our mission complements that of Read On Arizona, an initiative of Piper Trust focused on improving early literacy in our state.
Thank you to the students and staff at Lowell Elementary in Mesa, Arizona for participating in the video and photography featured on this site.