Transitions Optical and VSP® Vision Care Bring Free Eye Care and Eyewear to Hundreds of Children In-need in the Houston Area

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Transitions Optical, in partnership with VSP^® Vision Care, will visit the Houston area this week with 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile vision clinic, nicknamed "Eyenstein," to help hundreds of children start the school year with free eye exams and if needed, prescription eyeglasses – to reinforce the connection between healthy vision and the ability to read and learn. 

Prequalified students from Ross Elementary received a visit from Eyenstein yesterday, followed by Lantrip Elementary today, September 11^th.  Eyenstein will then visit the Fort Bend Boys & Girls Club on September 13^th and the Stafford Boys & Girls Club on September 14^th.  While onboard Eyenstein, children will receive a free, comprehensive eye exam by a local Vision Source doctor and if prescription eyeglasses are required, they can choose eyeglass frames right there onboard the clinic that will be fitted with customized Transitions^® adaptive lenses, to help enhance their vision in the short-term and protect it in the long-term, by blocking 100 percent of harmful UV rays.

"One in four students in kindergarten through sixth grade has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn," said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical.  "Together, with our partners, VSP and Vision Source, Transitions Optical is committed to reducing this statistic and making sure children receive proper eye care and eyewear so that they can succeed both in and out of the classroom."

Since the inception of Eyenstein in 2010, more than 2,500 children nationwide have received comprehensive eye exams onboard the clinic and approximately 1,700 children received free eyeglasses with Transitions lenses. 

"For a child to be given the proper opportunity to succeed in school, it is important they receive a comprehensive eye exam," said Dr. Moes Nasser, optometrist, Vision Source. "Exams are a necessity, as 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually. I am very happy to be able to give back and serve my local community while helping to eliminate any learning or behavioral issues that may be vision related."

In an effort to further educate children, families, and teachers about the importance of visiting an eye doctor regularly and taking proper care of their eyesight, Transitions Optical created the "Eye Didn't Know That!" program, complete with lesson plans, family activities, games, and much more.  As part of this program, families and schools across the country can make a "promise" to take care of their eyes.  For every "promise" made, Transitions Optical will donate one new book to mobile literacy initiative Bess the Book Bus – to provide to a child in-need to encourage a love of reading – and schools will have the opportunity to win a visit from Eyenstein and Bess the Book Bus during the 2013 school year.  Program materials will be provided at all four events in Houston this week.

To learn more about Eyenstein and to make a "promise" to take care of your eyes, visit www.myeyepromise.com.   

About the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes Clinic
Since inception, the VSP Mobile Eyes^® program has had over 980 VSP doctors volunteer their time participating in 417 events and helping more than 80,000 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 March 2010, Transitions Optical partnered with VSP Vision Care to introduce the third clinic in the Mobile Eyes fleet, Eyenstein, which has the unique feature of a finishing lab, featuring full-service lens finishing equipment, providing patients with eyeglasses on site.

SOURCE Transitions Optical