Overton Schools Expanding Vision Correction Program

Overton Schools are expanding their program to help young students struggling with a visual condition called intermittent central suppression.

Director of Schools Donnie Holman said there were sixty-one third graders who wore corrective goggles for the condition throughout the last school year. Holman said they are increasing the size of the program because it started last January so there was not have enough time to fully treat every student.

“So we’re going to start working with our third graders and then the fourth graders now that didn’t have enough time,” Holman said. “We’ll be working with two grades this year. The data that we did get back last year was very promising with that. So this year we should be able to have more time to see some benefit from that program.”

Holman said the program will still require parent permission before students can start having the hour-long sessions with the goggles. Holman said their main goal with the program is to set students up for a better and more successful life.

“Granted, it may help test scores, but when I look at it I think this is going to help those students for the rest of their lives to be able to read better,” Holman said.

Holman said that Representative Ed Butler has been an instrumental part in acquiring the funding necessary to continue the program.

“I’m not saying it cures it,” Holman said. “But it really does make things much better for many, many students.”

Holman said he spoke with the man who runs the program about the expansion and that man said it was a great idea to make sure they finish what they started with this treatment.