Eye clinic changes perspective for Mid-South kids with vision challenges

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Doctors and fourth-year students at the Southern College of Optometry trained 15 children Wednesday on equipment that the kids will use to help with their eyesight.

“It looks good to me,” said 8-year-old Amari Bee, who lives with challenges to his eyesight.

The children were trained at the Southern College of Optometry.

The children trained on electronic video magnifiers. The college partnered with Sight Savers America, a national nonprofit. The kids used desktop and portable versions of the equipment, which they were given to take home after they completed their training.

“Well, Amari has optic nerve hypoplasia, which means he has a very small nerve in his eye,” said Amber McClenton, Amari’s mother.

Doctors said the equipment magnifies object by up to 71 times.