Free eye tests and glasses for children from Utrecht families who are struggling to make ends meet
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and the Utrecht municipality are making it possible for children of families struggling to make ends meet to also receive glasses if they are found to be necessary after an eye measurement. The only condition is that the families live in Utrecht and have a U-pas.
Because children's glasses are not included in the basic package, children from families who are struggling financially run the risk of not being able to get glasses, with all the consequences that entails. Not having glasses when they are needed can lead to lazy eye, squinting or permanent low vision. This reduces a child's ability to participate in society and school, which can lead to lower school performance. Later, this in turn can affect job opportunities. Thus, the negative impact on a child's health can lead to worse social and economic conditions.
Investing in children
In Utrecht, almost 8,000 children grow up in a household with an income up to 125% of the legal social minimum. The municipality chooses to invest extra in these families and children. This is laid down in the memorandum “Equal opportunities for a secure existence”. The investment in children's glasses for U-pas holders fits in with this.
To help these families and children get the right care, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and the municipality of Utrecht have joined forces. Children can have a free eye examination done at HU's Orthoptics course. If this shows that they need glasses, they will also receive free glasses, reimbursed by the municipality, on presentation of a U-pas. The HU has made agreements with an eyewear supplier and local opticians for this purpose.
"At HU, through education and practical research, we train students to become independent professionals. Even while training, we strive to contribute to social tasks. In Utrecht, there are large health disparities. This collaboration is a beautiful, concrete example of how we, with our students, teachers, researchers and partners, can have an impact on creating equal opportunities in health and well-being," states Lizet van Ewijk, associate lecturer and one of the programme leaders HEALTH&WEL at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.
Linda Voortman, alderman at the municipality of Utrecht: "Many families with children in Utrecht struggle to make ends meet. While we know that growing up in poverty has so much effect on health and life chances. With this initiative we kill three birds with one stone: we give children the care they deserve, we relieve parents who are struggling financially and students have the opportunity to put their studies into practice. A nice win-win-win with which we invest for equal opportunities."
About the Orthoptics course
During the four-year college course in Orthoptics, students learn all the diagnostics and treatment of squinting and lazy eyes. Anyone can register at the HU HEALTH&WEL Centre for a free eye care examination performed by students from the Orthoptics or Optometry course, under the supervision of experienced lecturers, with the aim of gaining practical experience.
Source: HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (in Dutch)
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