By Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
Since some students may struggle to receive proper eye exams, Youngstown State University offered a free screening Sept. 17.
Clear Eyes on Campus was held outside of the Chick-fil-A near Kilcawley Center. The goal of the event was to provide free eye screenings for students. The event was sponsored by local nonprofit, Sight for All United.
Sophomore biology BaccMed major Tanya A Pai Dhungat held the event to provide vision care to students who may not have the means to access eye care.
“I planned this in order to open access to vision care to many college students who are in need,” Dhungat said. “When it comes to being college aged, there are many newly independent students who aren’t under their parents’ insurance anymore, as well as many international students who don’t have insurance here in America.”
Dhungat has been involved with Sight for All United since high school. After interning with the organization, Dhungat said she felt it was important to help the Youngstown community.
“I got offered an internship to work with the nonprofit,” Dhungat said. “From there I worked through the summer through an internship and really fell in love with the mission of Sight For All United.”
Dhungat added that following her internship, she still wanted to help others who are unable to afford proper eye care.
“Working for the nonprofit that summer, it really opened my eyes to what kind of issues are out there so close to us in our community. Even when they go to the schools, there’s almost 80% of children who need glasses and just getting that and being able to break down that barrier at such an early age … is really important in their future success,” Dhungat said.
Clear Eyes on Campus ran from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Students who participated were given a screening. An on-site optometrist, Dr. Kayla Tucker, analyzed the screenings. Dhungat said further exams were held for those who failed the screenings.
“There is a screening beforehand,” Dhungat said. “It’s very quick, and if you fail that screening — basically indicating that you have a vision issue — then you’ll go onto the eye exam.”
Dhungat said free glasses were also given to students in need, following their screenings.
“We’re giving free glasses to the students,” Dhungat. “They are able to pick out the glasses they want, and then that prescription will be matched to those glasses for free. And if they do have a further vision problem … they will be referred to one of our doctors for further vision care.”
There was a sizable turnout for Clear Eyes on Campus. Dhungat said there were more volunteers for the event than expected.
“Our aim was for around 20 or 30 people ahead of time, I created a form and sent it out multiple ways throughout campus and got 40 people signed up, which was amazing. We were able to treat everyone that signed up ahead of time for appointments, but we had a lot of walk-ins as well, which was amazing to see,” Dhungat said.
Another Clear Eyes on Campus will be held in the spring. Those interested in getting involved with Sight For All United can reach out to Dhungat for information or visit its website sightforallunited.org.
