Kids Vision for Life St. Louis
KVFL delivers vision services to under-resourced children in St. Louis through a school-based model that eliminates poor vision as a barrier to learning in order to achieve higher academic and social outcomes.
What Makes KVFL Different?
For over 15 years, Kids Vision for Life St. Louis has brought free, comprehensive vision care directly to students at school—removing cost, transportation and time away from work as barriers for families.
From screening to seeing clearly
Students can receive every step of the vision-care process through KVFL.
Swipe to explore each service
Free Vision Screenings
Our teams identify students who may need additional vision care—right at school.
Free Eye Exams
Students with permission receive a comprehensive eye exam aboard a mobile clinic.
Complete the consent form
Free Prescription Glasses
Students who need glasses select frames and receive their prescription eyewear at no cost.
Free Replacement Glasses
If a student's glasses are lost or broken, our replacement program helps them see clearly again.
Request replacement glassesEveryone Deserves to See the World Clearly.
Clear vision helps students read, learn, participate in class and approach each school day with confidence.
One in four school-age children have a vision impairment significant enough to affect learning.
When vision needs go undetected or untreated, students can miss more than what is written on the board. KVFL brings screenings, comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses directly to schools—connecting students with essential care in a familiar and accessible setting.
A clearer future for St. Louis students
Students Screened
School-based screenings help identify students who may need additional care.
Students Examined
Comprehensive eye exams are delivered where students already are: at school.
Glasses Prescribed
Students receive prescription glasses at no cost to their families.
Every gift helps bring essential vision care directly to local schools.
KVFL totals reflect the program's overall impact since 2009.
What School Nurses Are Saying
School nurses see firsthand how clear vision can change a student’s confidence, classroom experience and ability to learn.
I had a student who broke her new glasses and her parents could not afford to buy her any more. She taped her glasses to keep them somewhat intact. Unfortunately, that did not work too well, so she gave up on wearing them. A teacher asked me about programs that could assist her and I gave the family information for KVFL. Per the student’s mom, the process was easy. The student was so happy to get new glasses and have her confidence back. Thanks KVFL for all the work you do in our school community!
We have one particular little girl who has struggled with her vision. When she got to first grade and was screened, it was determined she needed glasses. She was so happy and grateful and came down in person to make sure I saw them on her. She is doing better in class with grades and understanding. She has also been very responsible with her glasses, which is very commendable. She talks all the time about how much better she can actually see. I don’t think she had any clue how much she was missing out on by not being able to see properly.
There were a few students who were working with crippled eyewear, and they were beyond ecstatic about receiving their new glasses. Their responses were, “I can see!” I requested that each student try their new glasses on before leaving my office, and I could see how clear and improved the new eyewear was. Thank you, KVFL, for what you do for our students and the joy you bring to the lives of those you serve! I appreciate you, and our kids appreciate you.
I had a student who had broken their glasses one month into the school year. Thanks to KVFL’s free eyeglass replacement program, the student was able to receive a new pair of glasses in just one week. Thanks, KVFL—that saved the family a lot of time and expense.
I have several students who have complained of headaches due to eye strain during class time. Now that the students have glasses, they have reduced their nurse office visits. This gives them an opportunity to have more classroom time and be more productive during their school day. By correcting the students’ vision, this helps them get better grades because now they are able to see the lesson given to them by staff.
Thank you so much for the glasses! One student just told me, “I didn’t realize people could see like this!” Another student who I have never seen smile had THE BIGGEST GRIN on his face as he looked around with his new glasses. I love seeing the confidence they have with a stylish pair of glasses.