Vision FAQs

• How many American children are affected by vision disorders?
  • Twenty-five percent of American school children are affected by vision problems and could suffer significant vision loss if a condition like amblyopia goes undetected. Because disorders like amblyopia are easily detected through screening methods that produce accurate results, a comprehensive vision screening program could ultimately eliminate preventable blindness in children.
• What are the costs to the individual, and to society, when vision disorders like amblyopia are left undetected?
  • Once the effects of vision disorders like amblyopia have set in, annual costs for treatment per individual can reach $2,500. Total annual economic impact associated with individuals affected by vision loss is estimated at more than $50 billion. Over an individual's lifetime, additional social costs are incurred, including disability and other benefits funded by taxpayers and the private sector.
• What is VisionQuest 20/20 seeking to accomplish?
  • The mission of VisionQuest 20/20 is to eliminate undetected vision disorders and preventable blindness in children. The organization will fulfill its mission by establishing a nationwide vision screening program for children, thus solving a significant public health issue through education, collaboration and facilitation.
• How does VisionQuest 20/20 receive support?
  • As a nonprofit organization, VisionQuest 20/20 relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations, grant-making foundations, charitable partnerships and other funding sources to underwrite vision screenings for children. The organization is also supported by its Founders and a volunteer Board of Directors.
• How does the VisionQuest 20/20 program work?
  • VisionQuest 20/20 uses automation to dramatically expand access to vision screenings. VisionQuest 20/20's innovative method utilizes software technology created by our Founders James W. O'Neil, M.D., Charles D. Tardibuono and Richard S. Tirendi. A child's vision is assessed in a standardized, cost-effective manner while he or she "plays" a two-to-three minute video game. The program is intended for schools, where the largest number of children can be reached.
• How does VisionQuest 20/20's program differ from other vision screening methods?
  • Because the functional vision screening program offered by VisionQuest 20/20 is based on an automated approach, it insures consistency and accuracy of every screening conducted. It is the only program available that automates individual reports and provides a comprehensive database to easily manage results.
    
    The program's administration is far more cost-effective than traditional screening techniques, and can be implemented on a national scale without relying on heavy staffing or requiring substantial training. VisionQuest 20/20's program costs about $5 per child, compared to other options that reach as high as $100 per child. The screening process itself is accurate, accessible, affordable and fun for children.
• Who developed the methodology for the VisionQuest 20/20 program?
  • The organization's Founders have worked tirelessly to establish a feasible program capable of delivering annual vision screenings to every schoolchild in America. Founders James O'Neil, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist, and engineers Charles Tardibuono and Richard Tirendi, are delivering this program through VisionQuest 20/20. The organization is now identifying partnership opportunities with numerous entities and individuals to bring charitable vision screenings to schools across the nation.
• Has VisionQuest 20/20 been able to implement a nationwide vision screening program?
  • While the programming logic to implement a nationwide effort exists, VisionQuest 20/20 is currently conducting demonstration projects in several states, underwritten by grants and other donations to the organization. Over 60,000 children have been screened and the results of these demonstration projects will contribute to a strategic plan for nationwide implementation. Adequate funding and support from partners will be key requirements to establishing a nationwide vision screening program.
• Who leads VisionQuest 20/20?
  • Because VisionQuest 20/20 is a non-profit organization, it is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with representatives from the private sector, health care, education and the community at large. Day-to-day operations are managed by a highly experienced staff in our Mesa, Arizona office, with occasional consult from experts in development and grant funding, public relations and marketing.
• What difference can VisionQuest 20/20 make?
  • In addition to providing a program that will result in dramatic cost savings to taxpayers, VisionQuest 20/20 can help children live more productive and happy lives by ensuring their vision health is protected. By detecting treatable vision disorders in children, VisionQuest 20/20 will make certain that our country's most vulnerable population is no longer devastated by treatable and preventable optical disease.
• How can I or my business contribute?
  • The easiest way for you or your business, organization or group to contribute is by donating to our Free Screenings Campaign. Your donations directly support the larger movement to end preventable blindness in children by helping to provide every child with a reliable and comprehensive vision screening through our vision screening program, EyeSpy 20/20™. Each $5 contribution provides a complete vision screening for a child, broadening their access to quality health care, increasing their chances of scholastic, athletic, social and economic success, and improving the life and success of your community as a whole. Donate Now to the Free Screenings Campaign
• How do donations work?
  • When you donate, you contribute to a large community effort to implement our vision screening program, EyeSpy 20/20™, in schools around your area. Your donation will be combined with donations from a large network of other active individuals, organizations, businesses and community leaders, and placed in the Free Screenings Campaign fund to help provide the implementation of EyeSpy 20/20™ to schools in your community, state and country. Individuals or businesses donating $1,000 or more will be recognized on our website, with the option of a hyperlink.
    
    Regardless of amount, your business, organization or group will become a valuable part of the movement to end undetected vision disorders and preventable blindness in children. Funding from the Free Screenings Campaign is used to provide schools with all the software, supplies, data integration and technical support needed to conduct accurate and reliable vision screenings with our program for the first full year of implementation. Please, talk to your business, organization, or group today and make a difference in the lives of children and the life of your community.
• How do I make sure my donation goes to a school in my area? What if I want to promote my business by sponsoring my local school?
  • Businesses, organizations and groups have the opportunity to join our Free Screenings Campaign and help to secure our innovative vision screening program for a local school or district by requesting to sponsor a school or district of their choice. In doing so, they are able to provide direct community support and crucial asset-building resources to local schools. These sponsors will have the benefit of knowing their donations will be supporting the movement to end the public health issue of undetected and untreated childhood vision disorders on both a national and community-level.
    
    With a sponsorship, a sponsor can promote their business right on the vision screening report. Our vision screening reports recognize and prominently display the sponsor's name and message. Each report is distributed to every screened child, ensuring that a wider targeted audience is reached.
• What if I want to sponsor my local school, but can only manage a partial sponsorship?
  • Our vision screening reports have the ability to accommodate recognition of up to three sponsors. Talk to other community members in your area and make ending undetected vision disorders and preventable blindness in children a team effort. Forming partnerships with other businesses, organizations and groups to improve children's vision health is a great way to connect and show support for your community in a powerful way.
• What type of information can I place on a vision screening report?
  • Our vision screening reports offer a 3 x 8.5 inch space for businesses, organizations or groups to be recognized for their dedication to improving children's vision health and supporting the children within their community. The allocated space is more than enough for your logo, name and tag-line. Since our vision screening reports are an opportunity for your business, organization or group to connect with the community, we encourage you to use this space to reach out and do some advertising. Consider advertising with a targeted message or promotion or even placing a coupon offer here. Be creative!
• Who sees the vision screening reports?
  • For every child screened, vision screening reports are sent home and viewed by their parents/guardians. In addition to family members, reports are viewed by school nurses and the doctors who obtain reports via referrals. Vision screening reports ensure that your business, organization or group will gain exposure and generate awareness for your philanthropic efforts among a widespread audience.
    
    Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to reach this audience with your services catering specifically to families and children, vision health professionals or even the busy working professional/parent looking for a night out, weekend getaway or the latest deals.
• Why is the vision screening report a good advertising tool?
  • Our vision screening reports reach a wide targeted audience of children, families and care providers in an extremely positive capacity. By having your business, organization, or group on our vision screening report, you are directly associated with positive efforts toward improving your community, building a deep sense of community engagement and philanthropy as well as exhibiting an obvious care for children.
    
    In doing your part to help end undetected vision disorders and preventable blindness in children, you are asking your community to support the movement, support our nation's children, and in turn support your efforts. Thus, supporting your business, organization or group becomes another excellent way for children, families and care providers to give back to their community.
• When can I expect to see my business, organization or group on a vision screening report?
  • Most schools conduct vision screenings during the months of August through November while others conduct screenings throughout the year. Vision screening reports are typically sent to parents/guardians within 30 days of screening. If the time of year matters to the growth and success of your business, organization or group, then you can get creative with a specific message directed to your community by inviting them to visit you at the time that matters most!