Vision Screening

DGCKids provides FREE vision screenings for children ages 6 months to 6 years, prioritizing those who may face barriers to care, including children from low-income families, children with developmental or special needs, and children in communities with limited access to vision services, such as rural areas.

Schedule a Vision Screening

Please fill out your information below, and we’ll be in touch to schedule a vision screening.

"*" indicates required fields

Who is requesting a vision screening?*

Childcare Center

Parent

Interested in hosting a free vision screening at your program? Fill out the form below and we will follow up to confirm eligibility and availability. DGCKids prioritizes programs serving children who face barriers to accessing vision care.

Childcare Center Name*

Contact Name*

First Last

Email*

We may be able to provide a free vision screening for your child if your childcare center or school requires it for enrollment. Screenings are offered based on our availability and capacity. If you have concerns about your child’s vision, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Please fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch.

Parent/Guardian Name*

First Last

Email*

Why Screening Matters

Young children rarely recognize or communicate vision problems; they simply assume what they see is normal. Yet 80 to 90% of early learning is visual, meaning undetected issues can cause developmental delays that affect a child academically and socially for years to come.

Vision screening in early childhood can change a child’s life trajectory. It gives them the chance to thrive, both in school and in life.

How We Reach Families

We partner with childcare centers, preschools, and community programs across Greater St. Louis to bring screenings directly to families, removing barriers of cost, transportation, and access.

Our team can help identify potential vision concerns earlier, provide referrals for follow-up care, and offer parents valuable information to support their child’s healthy development.

Meet the Vision Screening Team

Margaret Muehl, BSN-RN

Vision Screening Manager

Margaret is both a DGCKids parent and our Vision Screening Manager. A Saint Louis University graduate with a BS in Nursing and an AMI Primary Montessori Diploma, she brings experience as an early childhood educator, Missouri First Steps Service Coordinator, and Registered Nurse in hospital and home care settings. Her unique background in early intervention, child development, and healthcare, combined with her perspective as a parent, guides the program with compassion and expertise.

Our Commitment to the Community

Since 1951, DGCKids has been dedicated to children with visual impairments and their families. Because healthy vision is so important to a child’s early development, our free screenings give back to the community, helping identify children who may need glasses or follow-up care, even if they don’t require our specialized services.