Lions Sponsor Vision Screening For Elementary Students
Stanley’s Lions Club worked with Sight 4 Kids to bring vision screening to the Stanley Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 1. They also traveled to Ray that day to offer the service to students. As part of their mission to service, the Lions Foundation of North Dakota has been providing free vision screening to children across the state.
The non-invasive mobile screen devices measure many eye-health issues including refraction of eyes, corneal curvature, and nearsightedness or farsightedness. All Lions Clubs across the state have the ability to schedule the free screening utilizing trained volunteers. The local clubs then arrange facilities and coordinate the program.
The volunteers use a mobile screener for the project, equipment that can measure many eye-health issues at the same time. It is quick and easy, with no discomfort to a child. Children who should see an eye-care professional are identified and referred for a comprehensive eye exam.
Students are then referred to their own optometrist for a follow up. The referral form is sent to the school and then the parent. The eye doctor is able to see what they found in the screening. The forms can then be sent back to the school, so they know the parents have followed up as well.
The project is made possible through a grant from the Lions Club International Foundation and the generosity of local Lions Clubs, businesses and individuals throughout the state. Partners include the Lions Foundation of North Dakota, District Health Units in North Dakota, the Lions Club International Foundation and North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind.
The vision screening program can also be scheduled for other events if an agency is interested. Screening at these events would mostly target children ages six months and higher.
For more information on the project, visit www.ndlions.org. Vision screening can be coordinated through several locations in the state. The group that stops in Stanley is coordinated through the Williston Lions.