Baltimore, MD, and Kansas City, MO, September 10, 2025 — Clear vision is essential for a child’s learning and confidence, yet thousands of children in Missouri face barriers to getting the glasses they need.
Saving KidSight, Missouri’s only statewide children’s vision screening service, screens about 45,000 children each year and has reached more than 900,000 since 1995. In the past year alone, nearly 49,000 children were screened, and more than 4,300 were referred for further care. While about 12% of screened children are referred, as many as 40% never receive glasses due to cost, access, or other barriers.
A new partnership between KeraLink International and Saving KidSight directly addresses this gap. Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), KidSight will continue leading school and community screenings, while KeraLink provides eyeglasses for children identified as needing them.
The pilot begins in fall 2025, with KeraLink supplying up to 200 pairs of glasses during the first few months through its KeraLink Eyewear program. This phased rollout allows both organizations to test and refine distribution, strengthen outreach to families, and lay the foundation to eventually reach an estimated 3,600 Missouri children each year who need but cannot access corrective eyewear. The program will be reviewed in 2026 to evaluate outcomes and next steps.
“This partnership brings together two strengths: KidSight’s unmatched ability to reach children through schools and communities, and KeraLink’s commitment to making sure every child who needs glasses can get them,” said Michelle Bockman, President and CEO of KeraLink International.
“At KidSight, we believe every child deserves the chance to see the world clearly,” said Melissa Stephenson, Executive Director of KidSight. “This partnership with KeraLink International expands our reach and strengthens our ability to connect families with the eyeglasses they need. Together, we are removing barriers and giving children the gift of clear vision.”
About KeraLink International
KeraLink International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness in underserved communities worldwide. Learn more at www.keralink.org.
About KidSight
KidSight is a Missouri-based nonprofit providing free vision screenings and connecting families with resources to improve children’s vision health. Learn more at www.kid-sight.org.