Nebraska Foundation for Children's Vision

The Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision (NFCV) is a not-for-profit educational and charitable foundation whose mission is to assure that every child is visually prepared to learn. The foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Working cooperatively with the Nebraska Optometric Association, NFCV works collaboratively with optometrists, educators, school nurses and policymakers to educate parents, increase access to vision care for children, elevate the level of vision care provided in schools, and expand awareness of how vision care impacts learning.

Passage of Nebraska’s law requiring vision evaluations for students entering school was a result of this collaboration. In addition, NFCV, in conjunction with optometry, has successfully influenced updates and enhancements to state guidelines for vision screenings conducted by schools. And, the foundation has worked in partnership with school nurses to educate parents on the value and importance of comprehensive eye exams in relation to required school screenings.

In recent years, NFCV has provided free comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to more than 600 underserved students from 40 schools across Nebraska. NOA doctors have volunteered for 13 school vision clinics in 10 different communities and have piloted tested three different clinic formats.  

In addition to school clinics, NFCV coordinates and supports two charitable public service programs that provide vision care to Nebraska children and maintains its own charitable fund as a safety net for underserved youth.

• See to Learn: free vision assessment for any 3-year-old.
• InfantSEE: free vision assessment for any infant from 6 mos. to 1 year old.
• Sight for School Fund: resources to cover exam fees and cost of eyewear for underserved children who do not qualify for other state charitable care options. 

The Nebraska Optometric Association provides in-kind staff support to the foundation and NOA member doctors serve on the NFCV Board of Directors.  NOA encourages its members to financially support the foundation with annual donations.

For more information about NFCV, visit nechildrensvision.org.