Public Service Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact:
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 Colleen Malouf
 Friends for Sight
(801) 524-2020
2020@for-sight.com
www.friendsforsight.org
A COMMUNITY WITH VISION…..
54 YEARS AND GOING STRONG!
“The eyes really are the windows to the world” says Colleen Malouf, the President & CEO for Friends for Sight for the past 25 years. “Imagine the ‘window’ for a child with uncorrected vision. Kids only know what they see, so the world appears to be a distorted, blurry place.”
Vision problems are not uncommon in young children. Of children ages 3-5, nearly one in 20 has a vision problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. The earlier the condition is detected and treated, the greater the likelihood of success. Recent research has shown that eye drops can be as effective as patching to correct amblyopia.
As is the risk of permanent vision loss wasn’t enough, the link between learning and eyesight is compelling.
FACT: 80% OF CLASSROOM LEARNING IS THROUGH THE EYES
Self-image is fragile in children. It may be damaged by excessive frustration at school. If vision is the problem, proper correction can come just in time to prevent permanently negative attitudes toward school.
REMINDER: 80% OF ALL LEARNING IS THROUGH OUR EYES
Watch for the ABC’s  of children’s vision problems:
• APPEARANCE – crossed or misaligned eyes, inflamed, red-rimmed, encrusted.
• BEHAVIOR – rubs eyes excessively, tilts head, squints, blinks excessively.
• COMPLAINTS – eyes itch, burn, feel scratchy, blurred or double vision.
An eye exam is important for every child, even those without signs of eye trouble. Friends for Sight recommends an eye exam shortly after birth, at 6 months of age, at age 3 or 4, and every 2 years thereafter.
VOLUNTEERS AND VISION…..
Thanks to the VOLUNTEERS of Utah, Friends for Sight has screened 531,297 children – That’s over One Million Eyes. If you are looking for a rewarding and vital volunteer opportunity in Salt Lake, Ogden or Utah County please contact Friends for Sight @ 801-524-2020.
Helen Keller said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
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Established in 1955, Friends For Sight  is the vision screening organization that screens children for Amblyopia, lazy-eye blindness; teenagers for visual acuity and peripheral vision; adults for Glaucoma and educates everyone about the importance of eye safety and eye protection.  Free screenings are offered at the Friends For Sight Center at 661 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.  801-524-2020.  www.for-sight.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact:
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 Colleen Malouf
Friends for Sight
(801) 524-2020
2020@for-sight.com
www.friendsforsight.org
A COMMUNITY WITH VISION…..
30-Second Public Service Announcement:
“THE EYES REALLY ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE WORLD” SAYS COLLEEN MALOUF, THE PRESIDENT & CEO FOR FRIENDS FOR SIGHT FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS. “IMAGINE THE ‘WINDOW’ FOR A CHILD WITH UNCORRECTED VISION. KIDS ONLY KNOW WHAT THEY SEE, SO THE WORLD APPEARS TO BE A DISTORTED, BLURRY PLACE.” OF CHILDREN AGES 3-5, NEARLY ONE IN 20 HAS A VISION PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN PERMANENT VISION LOSS IF LEFT UNTREATED. DON’T TAKE THAT CHANCE. 80% OF WHAT WE LEARN IN LIFE IS THROUGH OUR EYES. THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF UTAH, FRIENDS FOR SIGHT HAS SCREENED 531,297 CHILDREN – THAT’S OVER ONE MILLION EYES. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REWARDING AND VITAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY IN SALT LAKE, OGDEN OR UTAH COUNTY PLEASE CONTACT FRIENDS FOR SIGHT @ 801-524-2020. HELEN KELLER SAID “ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 18, 2010       
Friends for Sight 
Colleen Malouf
801-524-2020
2020@friendsforsight.org 

 Holiday Tips for Safe Toys  

 

Young children are often described as “accidents waiting to happen.” Don’t let an accident befall your little ones this year. Many toys pose a threat to eye safety. Friends for Sight reminds you to use caution in selecting toys and gifts for your family this holiday season.    

 To seek out toys that are both safe and fun, Friends for Sight recommends the following guidelines:  

  •          Consider a child’s ability, not just age
  •           Carefully read instructions,  safety labels and suggested age level
  •           Avoid toys with sharp points, protruding rods or dangerous edges.
  •           Inspect toys for durable construction
  •          Avoid toys with shooting or flying parts
  •           Look for the letters ASTM.  This indicates the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials Remember to keep you child safe after buying the toy:

           Explain how to use the toy 

  •          Repair or throw away damaged toys
  •         Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones
  •         Don’t let your child misuse the toy in ways that could be dangerous
  •         Store or give away toys your child has outgrown

 Each year, many children suffer serious eye injuries or blindness from toys.    

“90 percent of all eye injuries are preventable,” says Colleen Malouf, president and CEO of Friends for Sight. “ We encourage parents to protect their children’s eyes by making educated decisions when shopping for toys. Make this holiday season a safe one!”   

 For more information about vision safety please contact Friends for Sight at 801-524-2020 or visit our website at friendsforsight.org.       

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Established in 1955, Friends for Sight is the vision screening organization that screens children for Amblyopia, lazy-eye blindness; teenagers for visual acuity and depth perception; adults for Glaucoma and educates everyone about the importance of eye safety and eye protection. Over One Million people have been screened by Friends for Sight. Free screenings are offered at the Friends for Sight Center at 661 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. 801-524-2020. When you “Check the Box” on your driver’s license and license plate tag, you help Friends for Sight save Utah’s sight! www.friendsforsight.org