Sight Savers America - About Us
Sight Savers got its start back in 1996 when CEO and founder Jeff Haddox realized that poor vision was affecting tens of thousands of children in our state each year. In his 20 plus year role as a vision scientist, Haddox knew personal stories of Alabama children who would never succeed in school, learn to read a book, see a sunset, or look into their Mother's face all because they weren't being screened, examined, and treated for vision problems. He knew many children could be corrected to 20/20 eyesight, while others with more serious low vision conditions, could maximize their sight with enhanced technological advances.
While his concerns were then and are still today with all children, Haddox's special passion is with the children of families for whom eyeglasses are a luxury item and the more sophisticated technological vision aids, a financial impossibility. Sight Savers now has programs in place to help these families including mobile low vision clinics, in-home delivery of vision aids and training in how to use them - all at no cost to low income children.
Education and public awareness are also important tools Sight Savers employs to help children with poor vision. Families often are unaware their kids aren't getting the care and treatment they need, most times not out of neglect, but lack of information. Families simply don't realize that children should have their eyes examined at a very early age. Children can't articulate their vision needs, but if vision problems are caught early enough, most can be treated successfully.
Since 1996, Haddox and Sight Savers have brought renewed hope to as many children as the organization can serve. The first year that number was eleven. In 2010 alone, more than 32,000 children were served and the numbers are growing each year. As of 2010, over 150,000 children in four states have been assisted by Sight Savers America.
From humble beginnings, and from the vision, commitment, and leadership of the SIGHT SAVERS staff, our programs have become the NATIONAL MODEL FOR CHILDREN'S VISION.