SVS Vision Joins Transitions Optical and VSP Vision Care to Bring Healthy Sight to Detroit Area Students

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit-based SVS Vision partnered with Transitions Optical and VSP® Vision Care today to bring a state-of-the-art 45-foot mobile eye exam clinic to Detroit Cristo Rey High School to provide two full days of comprehensive eye exams and complimentary eyewear to students in need.

Students from Holy Redeemer Elementary School and Detroit Cristo Rey High School were selected, in conjunction with the Boys Hope, Girls Hope organization, to benefit from the mobile eyecare clinic.  Those students requiring prescription lenses will have the opportunity to select eyeglass frames of their choice fitted with Transitions® lenses to help them experience comfortable, quality vision both inside and outside the classroom.

"Studies show that 80 percent of a child's learning is visual – and what many don't realize – is that one in four children has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn,"  said Connie Falvo, director of external affairs, Transitions Optical.  "Hosting this event at Detroit Cristo Rey truly embodies the shared mission of both Transitions and VSP Vision Care to help raise awareness worldwide about the need for healthy, quality sight."

"The ability to achieve healthy sight is something that is not always in reach for everyone, which is why SVS Vision has teamed up with Transitions and VSP to help impact the lives of students right here in our local Detroit community," said Cathy Walker, vice president of marketing, SVS Vision.  "We are dedicated to continuing this momentum to help all families in Detroit understand how critical proper eyecare and eyewear are to children's performance in the classroom and in their everyday lives."

In addition to complimentary eyecare services, all of the students will have the opportunity to experience "Bess the Book Bus," a mobile literacy program run by Tampa native Jennifer Frances that has traveled across the country and visited numerous communities in need to provide important resources to help children become enthusiastic lifelong readers and educate families about the connection between healthy vision and reading.  The Book Bus will be on-site at Detroit Cristo Rey High School for students to each choose a book to take home with them, including advance copy books that have never before been read and were donated exclusively for this event.

"On behalf of Detroit Cristo Rey High School and Holy Redeemer Elementary School, we are tremendously thankful for this opportunity that has been given to our students and their families," said Darlene Thomas, executive director, Boys Hope, Girls Hope organization.  "I look forward to the students' reactions when they experience quality vision, in many cases for the first time, and hope that their new eyeglasses and books will help them experience a boost in confidence and continue to progress in being prepared for the next level of education in the new school year."

To learn more about healthy sight and to find an eyecare professional near you, visit www.Transitions.com or www.SVSVision.com.  For more information about the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes program, visit www.vsp.com/community.  

About SVS Vision

SVS Vision offers the finest service, value and selection in eye care with over 50 optical centers in 10 states.  In addition to retail eye care centers, SVS Vision offers safety eyewear programs and group discount programs.  With a U.S. lens laboratory, SVS stands committed to the quality of American-made workmanship.  Serving the vision needs of our communities since 1974, SVS Vision is headquartered in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

About the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes Clinic

Since inception, the VSP Mobile Eyes® program has had over 245 VSP doctors volunteer their time participating in 143 events and helping close to 14,500 people see more clearly.  What started as an extension of relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the program features two mobile eyecare clinics, each with two comprehensive exam rooms and full eyeglass dispensaries, which respond to disasters and assist people in need in communities throughout the U.S.  In the first two quarters of 2009, the VSP Mobile eyes program, in partnership with their network doctors, provided outreach to over 5,000 low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families from California to Florida.  In March 2010, Transitions Optical partnered with VSP Global to introduce the third clinic in the Mobile Eyes fleet, which has the unique feature of a finishing lab featuring full-service lens finishing equipment, providing patients with eyeglasses on-site.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.