Optometrist hosts scouting event
MACOMB — Last month Professional Eyecare Center in Macomb hosted an event for the Vision Awareness patch for local scouts.
The Vision Awareness patch for girl and boy scouts was created by an optometrist in New Jersey to expose young people to the profession, but also to emphasize the importance of eye health awareness and what it's like to go to the eye doctor, for those who haven't been. Any optometrist's office can hold the event for local troops.
Dr. Brigette Colley, optometrist at the Eyecare Center, said about 12 girls from Troops 5657 and 5686 came to the event.
Colley said they set up the event in the evening when the office was closed and her and Dr. Hannah Bengtson and a few office staff coordinated the activities.
“There were five stations: the first one we did a photo of their eye, the second we showed tools and equipment used, on the third station we let them use optician's tools to adjust old pairs of glasses. We also let them play with contact lenses and had activities in the dark to get an idea of what it might be like to not be able to see.”
“For it being our first one, overall it was a great success,” Colley said. “The kids were engaged and hopefully they learned a lot, and it inspires a career in health care, specifically eye care.
Colley said they may consider hosting other troops in the future. Those interested should contact the Professional Eyecare office at 309-833-4242.
This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: Optometrist hosts scouting event
