Vision To Learn, the free eye-exam and glasses program for youth ages 17 and under, is returning to Baltimore County Public Library for the sixth year.
They’ll make a historic 27 stops at 17 branches around the county between June 18 and Aug. 19.
Through the Vision To Learn program, children visit the libraries at the designated times for a routine, free eye exam. If a child is then determined to need glasses, a licensed optometrist provides further examination. The child is then invited to choose from a limited selection of youth and adult frames. The new glasses take two to three weeks to arrive. The entire process is free to families.
Since 2018 (having skipped 2020, because of the pandemic) Vision To Learn has provided 926 eye exams and 559 pairs of glasses to families in Baltimore County. The nonprofit organization focuses on underserved communities where families may have difficulty affording eye care and glasses.
A 2021 study from Johns Hopkins University determined that students who receive glasses improve significantly in academic success the following school year. Researchers from the Wilmer Eye Institute and School of Education conducted the largest clinical study in the United States on the impact of glass on education.
The team had learned in 2016 that as many as 15,000 of Baltimore City’s 60,000 pre-K through 8th-grade students needed glasses but did not know it or have the means to get them. They studied students’ performance in grades 3 through 7 who received glasses and found that both reading and math scores increased significantly.
“Researchers found particularly striking improvements for girls, special education students, and students who had been among the lowest performing,” according to Emily Henderson’s reporting from the JHU School of Health.
“Partnering with Vision To Learn to provide free eye exams and glasses to children in need aligns with our goal of fostering lifelong learning and growth,” said Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, CEO of Baltimore County Public Library, in a statement. “Libraries are more than just places to borrow books; we are community hubs where everyone can access the resources they need to succeed. This includes offering this essential vision service, to ensure every child has clear vision heading into the new school year.”
Space is limited, so registration is required for the visits. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families must register in person at the branch where they plan to bring the child for their exam. A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form.
Each appointment lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes, during which children receive an eye exam, choose glasses, and then equipment is cleaned between patients.
For location, contact, and other information about each Baltimore County Public Library branch, please click this link.
Vision to Learn will be at Baltimore County Public Library branches on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
Arbutus Branch
Monday, July 22
Cockeysville Branch
Tuesday, June 24
Thursday, July 18
Wednesday, August 14
Essex Branch
Tuesday, June 18
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesday, August 13
Hereford Branch
Thursday, July 25
Lansdowne Branch
Thursday, June 20
Loch Raven Branch
Thursday, August 8
North Point Branch
Friday, July 12
Friday, August 9
Parkville-Carney Branch
Thursday, July 11
Perry Hall Branch
Tuesday, August 6
Randallstown Branch
Tuesday, July 30
Monday, August 19
Reisterstown Branch
Wednesday, July 10
Rosedale Branch
Wednesday, July 31
Sollers Point Branch
Friday, June 28
Wednesday, July 17
Towson Branch
Monday, July 15
White Marsh Branch
Wednesday, June 26
Wednesday, July 24
Woodlawn Branch
Tuesday, July 9
Tuesday, July 23
Wednesday, August 7
