Eye Believe Bus Brings Vision Care to Aldine ISD Students

Aldine ISD students now have greater access to eye exams and vision care following the launch of the See to Succeed Eye Believe Bus at Reece Academy on Sept. 1.

The Houston Health Foundation, in partnership with the Houston Health Department, launched the new mobile vision unit to provide eye exams and early vision care to children throughout the Houston area. During the launch event, preschool students received on-site eye exams from a clinical team inside the mobile unit.

Aldine ISD leaders joined representatives from the Houston Health Foundation and Houston Health Department to celebrate the launch and highlight the importance of providing students with access to early vision care.

“This partnership helps remove a barrier that can directly affect a student’s ability to learn,” said Diaka Melendez, Aldine ISD chief of schools. “Something as simple as a pair of glasses can change the trajectory of a child’s life by giving them the opportunity to see clearly, engage in the classroom and reach their full potential.”

The mobile unit will visit select Aldine ISD campuses Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 14-17 to serve eligible pre-K and Head Start students.

The Eye Believe Bus expands the Houston Health Foundation’s See to Succeed program, which connects students with eye exams and corrective eyewear. The fully equipped mobile optometry clinic has three exam lanes and can serve up to 50 students during a clinic day. The mobile unit also allows the program to reach children as young as 4 who have failed a school vision screening. Students who are prescribed glasses can receive them at no cost to their families.

Students who do not pass a school vision screening and have limited or no access to vision care may be referred to See to Succeed by a school nurse or campus designee.

Vision concerns can sometimes go unnoticed, particularly among younger children who may not recognize or be able to explain that they are having difficulty seeing. Identifying vision concerns early can help prevent challenges that may affect a student’s learning and development.

“Our Eye Believe Bus opens doors, not just to sight, but to opportunity. We know that the younger the patient, the bigger the impact. Improved vision strengthens academic performance, participation and long-term self-esteem, said Veronica Mendez, clinical director for See to Succeed.

The mobile unit will also help address transportation and distance barriers by bringing vision services directly to schools and communities. It may also provide additional opportunities for students who were unable to attend a previously scheduled See to Succeed event.

Aldine ISD is a longtime partner of See to Succeed. Each year, approximately 1,000 to 1,200 Aldine ISD students participate in the district’s See to Succeed mission, which is held at the Bamberg Professional Development and Resource Center in March.

Overall, See to Succeed serves an average of 10,000 students. The Eye Believe Bus is expected to increase the program’s capacity by at least 20%.

“Today, the Eye Believe Bus is perhaps the first time that we have truly and significantly expanded the capacity of See to Succeed. With the Eye Believe Bus, we can see preschool children for the first time, and that is a significant advancement,” said Robin Mansur, president and CEO of the Houston Health Foundation

Aldine ISD is one of more than 17 Houston-area school districts that partners with See to Succeed. The partnership helps connect students with vision services and other resources that support their success in the classroom.