Established 2003

Assistance League of San Jose recognizes the importance of early vision screening for good eye health in preschool children. Did you know 80% of learning in the early years is visual? If vision problems are not detected early, they could interfere with the child’s learning progress. One problem such as Amblyopia, or lazy eye, if not caught at an early age, could lead to loss of vision in the affected eye. The Screening Eyes Early Program provides vision screening to detect early signs of this condition and other vision problems of 3 to 5 year-olds in our area preschools from January – March. The screening results are given to the parents or guardians and children who need follow-up and re-screening by a professional are given a referral form. Volunteer screeners follow up with the preschool to get the results of the eye exams. The value of this program cannot be overstated.

Assistance League of San Jose members interested in this program take a 3-hour mandatory training session that explains the process of vision screening and a 3-hour practicum to get hands-on experience with the preschoolers. The practicum provides an opportunity to see the screening process in action, to practice with feedback and to ask questions. Click here to learn about the history of Screening Eyes Early.