Boling Vision Center’s service of others goes beyond the walls of our practice. We believe it is important to give back to the amazing community that provides us with so much. To that end, BVC’s multifaceted Kindness to Prevent Blindness (K2PB) program allows all individuals the opportunity to receive quality eye care no matter their financial situation. These charitable services are provided through one of the program’s five branches: the K2PB mobile unit, the EYLEA Assistance Program, Operation Sight, nonprofit partnerships, and financial hardship assistance.
Kindness to Prevent Blindness Eye Care Mobile Unit
Launched in 2018, in collaboration with the Elkhart Education Foundation, the KTPB eye care mobile unit was designed with the goal to provide free vision screenings, exams, and glasses to all 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade students in Elkhart and St. Joseph County Schools—as is required by the Indiana Department of Education. This nonprofit initiative, funded by tax-deductible donations and in-kind community support, is focused on ensuring school children have the vision care they need to be successful in school.
Through this unique program, community volunteers perform school-based vision screenings for students—thousands annually—in order to identify students in need of additional vision testing. The mobile eye care unit, housed in a custom built, converted recreational vehicle with two examination lanes and all the diagnostic equipment needed for eye care visits, then travels to Elkhart schools to provide free eye exams for those referred students. With assistance from the school nurses and Lions Club volunteers, Boling Vision Center doctors and staff perform these medical eye exams as well as provide a pair of free prescription glasses for students who need them. By closing the referral gap and providing glasses and medical follow-up in the school building, positive student outcomes will be ensured.
Future outreach will expand this patient base to include additional school districts, as well as local businesses. By providing the convenience of care at the worksite, patients will be able to quickly return to work and maintain their productivity.
KINDNESS TO PREVENT BLINDNESS AT A GLANCE
- One in four children has a vision problem.
- 60% of children with learning difficulties have an undetected vision problem.
- 70% of juvenile delinquents have an undetected eye problem.
- 80% of information in the classroom is presented visually.
- When vision problems are found, an estimated 40%-67% do not receive recommended follow-up care, especially in students living below the poverty line.
THE SOLUTION
- Kindness to Prevent Blindness is a collaboration between nonprofit Elkhart Education Foundation and long-time eye care practice, Boling Vision Center, to ensure school children have the vision care they need to be successful in school.
- 4,000+ Elkhart Community Schools’ students across four grade levels will be screened annually.
- In addition to free school screenings, students will receive two pairs of glasses.
- Nonprofit initiative funded by tax-deductible donations and in-kind community support.
- Partnership with Boling Vision Center, providing doctors who donate their time for school visits.
- Expansion in to St. Joseph County
Join our vision and make a gift to the Kindness to Prevent Blindness initiative:
Join our team of volunteers for the Kindness to Prevent Blindness initiative:
Operation Sight
Operation Sight is a charitable cataract surgery program of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), whereby a network of volunteer organizations and ASCRS members provide care to uninsured patients who are unable to access or afford cataract surgery. Through this program, eligible patients, those with an annual household income of less than 200% of the Federal poverty level, are matched with member volunteer surgeons—including our own BVC doctors. All surgeries are performed free of charge to the patients, with additional financial and administrative assistance provided by Operation Sight.
EYLEA Assistance Program
EYLEA is a prescription medicine administered by an injection into the eye to treat certain diseases of the retina. To ensure our patients receive the medical treatment they require, BVC enrolls patients demonstrating financial need in the EYLEA Assistance Program. This program is specifically designed to provide support solutions for patients who are uninsured or lack coverage for EYLEA.
Nonprofit Partnerships
Our Kindness to Prevent Blindness program works with community nonprofit organizations to provide free eye examinations and glasses to people living below the federal poverty level. Our nonprofit partnerships within our community include: Minority Health Coalition, Church Community Services, YWCA of Elkhart County, Guidance Ministries, Vista Community Health, Center for Healing and Hope, and the South Bend Center for the Homeless.
Financial Hardship Assistance
Another way Boling Vision Center works to ensure quality eye care for our uninsured community members is through financial hardship assistance.
To learn more about the Kindness to Prevent Blindness initiatives please contact Beatrice Phillips, Director of Business Development at 574-283-8393.
Schedule your appointment online today or call 800-283-8393
