Phillips Eye Institute

Through the Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative, the Phillips Eye Institute extends its mission beyond its hospital walls. E.Y.E. strives to remove vision problems as a major roadblock to learning by providing regular vision screenings and subsequent treatment services to Minneapolis and St Paul school children in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. In addition to screening services, E.Y.E. conducts follow-up by working with families to identify and remove barriers to receiving treatment: offering interpreter services, transportation, and vision care for uninsured or underinsured children. E.Y.E. coordinates and funds care at no cost to the school districts or the families we serve. E.Y.E. serves over 25,000 students annually, with over 200 trained volunteers to deliver the service each school year. The success of the E.Y.E. Program has been widely recognized - having received the Minnesota Hospital Association Community Benefit Award for Small Hospitals and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Award.