Free Eye, Hearing Screenings To Be Offered To Hillsborough County Kids

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan is partnering with the Lion's World Vision Institute and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation to offer free eye exams and hearing tests to children at Tax Collector locations in the month of June.

The free vision and hearing screenings are part of the Tax Collector's Annual Safety Awareness Month.

Free screenings will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on:

• June 15 at 3030 N Falkenburg Road in Brandon.
• June 16 at 4100 W Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Drew Park, Tampa.
• June 22 at 2814 E Hillsborough Ave. in East Tampa.
• June 23 at 4706 Sydney Road, Plant City.
• June 29 at 406 30th St. SE, Ruskin.
• June 30 at 2814 E Hillsborough Ave., East Tampa.

For an eye exam, families can sign up for their children ages 5 to 17 by visiting here.

BayCare Kids will also be at the events providing car seat safety checks and the city of Tampa will provide water safety information.

According to the Lions World Vision Institute, 80 percent of all vision impairment can be prevented or cured. However, one in five children cannot afford eye care.

Based on research provided by Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, over 34 million children worldwide have disabling hearing loss.

"Both vision and hearing impairment can significantly impact a child's development, education and social life. That is why we are honored to partner with the Lion's World Vision Institute and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation to provide hearing tests, eye exams and glasses, if needed, to children in our community," said Millan.

"In today's visual world, sight plays such a critical role in how we learn and interact, yet far too many children are burdened with vision struggles," said Sharon Boyes, executive director of the nonprofit Lions World Vision Institute Foundation. "Undiagnosed and untreated eye issues have a profound effect on a child's learning and success in school and life. As the operators of the Glazer Mobile Vision Clinic, LWVI is pleased to partner once again with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector's Office to provide critical eye care services and resources to children that need it most."

To learn more about the services provided at the Hillsborough County TaxCollector's office, visit hillstax.org.