Opticianry students help underprivileged children

Opticianry students Amanda Stevenson and
Angelica Dennis.

Opticianry program faculty and students joined dozens of other area eye care professionals at Richmond’s Arthur Ashe Center to volunteer with OneSight Vision, a traveling clinic providing free eye exams and new eyewear to children in need. Staffed by local doctors and trained volunteers, OneSight Vision turned the Arthur Ashe Center into an optical lab the size of a football field, equipped with everything needed for an eye exam and new eyewear. Children who visit these vans receive new prescription eyewear on-site.

OneSight collaborated with Richmond City Public Schools, Children Incorporated & The Rudi Johnson Foundation to provide free eye care for underprivileged children in the Richmond area. Reynolds Opticianry program student volunteers assisted with registration, escorting students between stations, and screenings. With a small amount of training, volunteers also helped students choose frames or operate the auto refractor, explained Reynolds Opticianry Program Head Yvonne H. Metten.

“This is a great opportunity to give back to my community,” said Opticianry student Leah Redden. “I know what we are doing here today is helping some of these children see better in school, so they can learn better. If they need glasses, they will walk out of here today with glasses….free of charge.”

“As a child I grew-up wearing glasses, so I know how important it is for these children to get fitted for the correct glasses,” said Opticianry distance learning student Angelica Dennis from Middleton, Va. “Plus coming to the event gave me the opportunity to visit the Downtown Campus for the first time.”

Watch the video.