Don't miss out! Durham Tech will hold an Employee Meeting in the ERC Auditorium at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12. View the livestream using the link below.
Project SIGHT
Students Imparting Glasses for Healthy Tomorrows
Our Mission
We aim to provide a sustainable visual aid resource with hopes that our efforts will increase the quality of life of the community members, increase the chances of academic and professional success, and provide valuable educational opportunities for Durham Tech Opticianry students training to become Licensed Dispensing Opticians.
Project SIGHT
In conjunction with our community partnerships, Project SIGHT provides free prescription eyewear to children and adults of underinsured/low-income households in Durham County. This program was created to help K-12 students and adult learners overcome the barriers to education due to vision deficiencies.
Services
Project SIGHT provides the following services:
- Eye Exams – comprehensive eye exams provided by volunteer optometrists
- Prescription eyewear – fitted, manufactured, and dispensed by Opticianry students supervised by NC Licensed Dispensing Opticians
- Education – information about eye development, eyecare, and eye safety
Project SIGHT volunteer doctors will spend their time with patients performing routine eye exams using our Community Health Lab exam room that is equipped with a slit-lamp, contact tonometer and phoropter. Our licensed Dispensing Opticians are Prevent Blindness North Carolina (PBNC) certified children's vision screeners.
Community Health Lab on the Go
The Project SIGHT community Health Lab van can go to any eligible school location within the Durham Public Schools (DPS) service area. In partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield NC (BCBSNC), the Durham Tech Health and Wellness department has a Mobile Community Health Lab fully equipped with an eye exam room and eyeglass dispensary.
The Impact of Your Participation
Your participation in this program will have a direct impact on hundreds of lives each year.
- Vision/eye deficiencies can impact a child’s development,school performance,confidence, and social interactions
- On average 75% of eye issues are missed in a routine vision screening
- One in five preschoolers have an undetected vision problem
- 50 out of 54 of the schools in the Durham Public School system qualify for this program
Your participation is vital in helping us close the gap on the inequality of visual resources, giving the opportunity of future success in upward mobility to do great things.
Service Recipients
This program is for:
- Durham Public Schools (K-12) that qualify for 50% or greater free or reduced lunch
- Qualifying Durham Tech students
- Members of currently established partnerships
Durham Tech works with its community partners to identify qualified children and adults who do not currently fall into the above categories.
Our Partners
Project SIGHT proudly partners with:
- BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS)
- Durham Public Schools (DPS)
- East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI)
- Essilor Vision Foundation
- Samaritan Health Center
Make a Difference
Partnering with our program will give your practice more exposure to the community and will give you the opportunity to work with eager Durham Tech Opticianry students. We look for individuals who champion education, who want to give back, and who prioritize the overall betterment of the community.