Youth eye health is focus of Transitions program

New York-Transitions Optical Inc. is launching a program to educate middle school students about healthy vision. The multifaceted program will help bring an "Eye Didn't Know That" science center exhibit into classrooms across North America while helping eye-care professionals gain visibility in their community.

"Eye-care professionals know how important it is to educate children and their parents about the best options to protect their vision long-term, but there is still an awareness gap among the general public-after all, parents are actually more likely to protect their kids' skin than their eyes," said Carole Bratteig, manager, optical services and training, Transitions Optical Inc.

The program will provide healthy vision lesson plans tied to national education standards to teachers and school administrators. The lessons cover the anatomy of the eye, the need for eye protection, and the dangers of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, outreach materials for local eye-care professionals can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.eyedidntknowthat.info/.

They will provide consultation on clinical education strategy, curriculum content, and industry trends. They will also be available to conduct and present original clinical research and reviews and will act as ambassadors for the company as it reaches out to the larger worldwide medical community to elevate the issue of eye health, the company said in a prepared statement.