05/29/2026
Meet Naomi - our 2026 Youth Ambassador!
Six-year old Naomi is a busy Kindergartner with big dreams. When she’s not practicing her reading skills or heading off to Girl Scouts, you’ll likely find her twirling across a stage. She loves to dance and recently performed in The Nutcracker!
But just as her world was opening up, Naomi was struggling to see it clearly.
During a free vision screening at her preschool provided by Prevent Blindness Iowa, Naomi did not pass. Like many parents, hers had no reason to suspect a problem. Still, they followed up with a comprehensive eye exam and that decision made all the difference.
Naomi was diagnosed with hyperopia and astigmatism and was prescribed glasses.
Her parents are grateful the issue was caught early. Without that screening, they might not have discovered the problem until it had worsened, potentially requiring surgery. It was a powerful reminder that vision problems in young children often go unnoticed, yet they can significantly affect how a child learns, grows, and experiences the world.
Now, Naomi proudly wears her glasses every day. She’ll continue seeing her eye doctor regularly to monitor her vision, and she’s back to doing what she loves—reading, dancing, and shining on stage.
Because of early detection, Naomi can clearly see the board in her classroom, the pages in her books, and the bright future ahead of her.
Naomi will lead our Light the Night for Sight walk coming up on June 11th. Join her by registering at www.preventblindness.org/lnsiowa!
