Transitions Optical Encourages Families To 'Promise' To Make Comprehensive Eye Exams Part Of Their Back-To-School Checklist

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As children prepare to head back to school, Transitions Optical reminds families about the connection between healthy vision and reading and learning by encouraging everyone to promise to care for their eyes and make comprehensive eye exams part of children's back-to-school routines, so they can perform their best in and out of the classroom.

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According to the American Public Health Association, one in four students in grades kindergarten through sixth has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn. What's more, a recent study shows that more than one-third of all parents with children living at home report that their children have never received an eye exam.

While students may receive basic vision screenings at school, oftentimes these screenings are only to check distance vision and are not enough to detect more serious vision problems.  Only a comprehensive eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist can detect some of the most common children's vision conditions, such as eye coordination, lazy eye and farsightedness.

"At Transitions Optical, we are committed, along with our industry partners, to help reduce the number of undiagnosed vision conditions in children," said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical.

Joining Transitions Optical in this effort is Jennifer Frances, founder of mobile literacy initiative Bess the Book Bus, who has traveled across the country providing  new books to children in need at schools, community shelters and organizations, and has witnessed the frustration of children who have undiagnosed vision conditions. Transitions Optical is one of the sponsors of Bess the Book Bus' 2012 'Success is in Sight' national tour, and often brings its mobile eye care clinic, 'Eyenstein,' created in partnership with VSP^® Vision Care, to outreach events, along with Bess, 'providing free eye exams and eyewear to children and families in underserved communities.  

"I've seen first-hand how undiagnosed vision problems interfere not only with their reading skills, but also with their social interaction and confidence with their peers," said Jennifer Frances, founder, Bess the Book Bus. "Through my partnership with Transitions Optical and the presence of its mobile clinic at many of Bess' outreach events, it's been wonderful to witness so many children receiving comprehensive eye exams and eyewear – the tools they need to develop a lifelong love of reading and learning."

Together, Transitions Optical and Jennifer Frances are encouraging children, parents, caregivers, and teachers to promise to take care of their eyes by making the "My Eye Promise" – simply log on to www.MyEyePromise.com and click "Submit Your Promise." For each "Promise" made, Transitions Optical will donate a new book to Bess the Book Bus, to provide to a child in need. Schools can also be entered into the "My Eye Promise School Challenge," by clicking on the "Join the School Challenge" link on the website for the chance to win free eye care and eyewear, courtesy of Transitions Optical, and a visit from Bess the Book Bus for their entire school.

As part of this educational outreach, optometrist Paul Berman offers simple steps everyone can take to help maintain healthy vision throughout the year.

"In addition to regular, comprehensive eye exams, I recommend a diet rich in vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene and plenty of water each day to keep your eyes and your body hydrated," said Dr. Paul Berman. "Also, make sure you wear proper eyewear, such as Transitions^® lenses, which automatically adapt from clear indoors and at night to dark outdoors to enhance your vision and block 100 percent of UV rays."

To find an eye doctor near you and to learn more about the "My Eye Promise" program, visit www.MyEyePromise.com. 

About Transitions Optical, Inc.   
Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International.  The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.

Transitions^® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight.  They are clear indoors and at night.  Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change.  Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today.  Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well.

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).

About Bess the Book Bus     
Founded solely by Frances in 2004, Bess the Book Bus began visiting schools, shelters and after-school programs in the Tampa area to distribute children's books and host readings for underprivileged children.  Since then, Frances' efforts have expanded, servicing more than 200 children and adults in need each week to promote literacy.  Frances gives nearly 50,000 new books each year to schools, community centers and shelters, with 2011 being the record year, distributing nearly 100,000 books.  Her program continues to grow as Frances is in the midst of her fourth multi-city tour across the country.  For more information about the program, visit www.bessthebookbus.org.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.