Student diagnosed with amblyopia by Conexus in 2007 is now graduating college
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- This holiday season marks the sixth year of 8News's partnership with the Conexus Gift of Light Campaign. So far this school year, Conexus has screened nearly 50,000 students and 31% have needed glasses. For over a decade, Conexus, and before that Prevent Blindness, has been helping students in our schools see clearly. One student who benefited from glasses is now graduating college in a few weeks. Conexus screened Derek Mason during his kindergarten year at O.B. Gates Elementary in 2007. He was diagnosed with amblyopia which is commonly known as "lazy eye." "I knew nothing of the Conexus when my son Derek was in kindergarten," said Mason's mother, Latarnya. "They gave a referral to go see and get his vision checked further because he had just gone through a screening, and there was some irregularities." (Photo courtesy of Conexus)(Photo courtesy of Conexus)(Photo courtesy of Conexus)(Photo courtesy of Conexus) After his diagnosis, it was determined that Mason would need more than corrective glasses and he went through a series of therapy sessions. "At the end of the day, had we not gone through that process early on when he was young, it could have been very problematic for him later," Latarnya Mason said. Without the help of Conexus, Mason says he would have struggled to read. He will now be graduating this December from George Mason University with a degree in biology. "I want to focus in immunology and infectious diseases," Mason said. "Yeah, I feel like I could contribute to that field and one of my main goals is to help people and I believe like that is a good avenue to take, especially with a bio degree." Both Mason and his mother said they want others to know, that if you get a card from Conexus in your child's paperwork, take it seriously and follow up. It could help your child see clearly in the future. For more information on the Gift of Light campaign and how to donate, visit this page on the 8News website.
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- This holiday season marks the sixth year of 8News's partnership with the Conexus Gift of Light Campaign. So far this school year, Conexus has screened nearly 50,000 students and 31% have needed glasses.
For over a decade, Conexus, and before that Prevent Blindness, has been helping students in our schools see clearly. One student who benefited from glasses is now graduating college in a few weeks.
Conexus screened Derek Mason during his kindergarten year at O.B. Gates Elementary in 2007. He was diagnosed with amblyopia which is commonly known as "lazy eye."
"I knew nothing of the Conexus when my son Derek was in kindergarten," said Mason's mother, Latarnya. "They gave a referral to go see and get his vision checked further because he had just gone through a screening, and there was some irregularities."
(Photo courtesy of Conexus)
(Photo courtesy of Conexus)
(Photo courtesy of Conexus)
(Photo courtesy of Conexus)
After his diagnosis, it was determined that Mason would need more than corrective glasses and he went through a series of therapy sessions.
"At the end of the day, had we not gone through that process early on when he was young, it could have been very problematic for him later," Latarnya Mason said.
Without the help of Conexus, Mason says he would have struggled to read. He will now be graduating this December from George Mason University with a degree in biology.
"I want to focus in immunology and infectious diseases," Mason said. "Yeah, I feel like I could contribute to that field and one of my main goals is to help people and I believe like that is a good avenue to take, especially with a bio degree."
Both Mason and his mother said they want others to know, that if you get a card from Conexus in your child's paperwork, take it seriously and follow up. It could help your child see clearly in the future.
For more information on the Gift of Light campaign and how to donate, visit this page on the 8News website.
