By José Antonio Perez * Photos: CR Mar de Peñasco, AC *
Seeking to directly benefit elementary school students from across the community, this past week the local Rotary Club (CR Mar de Peñasco, A.C.) teamed up once again with VistAmerica for a vision clinic that will provide over 100 free sets of glasses.
The day-long clinic saw 260 children who for the most part had been prescreened by Rotary club members themselves at area schools prior to the visit of the VistAmerica volunteers. Of the 260 children seen, 137 needed glasses (about 53%), which VistAmerica will custom make and deliver in early January.
Catalina Ríos, member of VistAmerica who coordinated with the local Rotary Club for the donation of the eyeglasses, remarked this was the fifth time the group had visited Puerto Peñasco. The goal is to continue supporting even more students from across the city each year.
She detailed their 16-person team made up of optometrists, optometry students, volunteers, and family members from the U.S. work directly on the campaign, hand in hand with the Peñasco Rotary Club.
She explained the main problem they have detected is astigmatism, which generally hampers children’s sight from an early age. Unfortunately, in not being tended to early on can lead to complications with sight.
Reiterating VistAmerica’s goal to provide free eyeglasses to elementary students up to age 12, Ríos noted they have been able to assist more children on a yearly basis through the support and collaboration of the local Rotary Club.
The VistAmerica vision clinic is held around mid-November each year. For additional information, contact the local Rotary Club on Facebook at Club Rotario Mar de Peñasco, A.C.
