Local Lions Clubs sponsor eye screenings

Lions Club information

Can your child see? Are you sure? One out of four school age children have undiagnosed eye problems. Sixty percent of children labeled as “problem learners” have vision problems, and among juvenile offenders it is estimated that 70 percent have vision disorders.

Parents often recognize when their children have health problems, but vision problems are not easily recognized, and most children do not know “how they are supposed to see”. How many people have ever asked their children, “how are you seeing today?”

The first four years of life are critical in the development of good vision. Undetected and untreated eye problems can prevent proper development of the brain’s binocular function, resulting in amblyopia (lazy eye). Amblyopia is the leading cause of monocular blindness.

Most children do not have their eyes tested until they enter school, and are old enough to read an eye chart. By then, it may be too late for the most effective treatment. Van Wert City Schools will be offering a vision screening as part of it developmental screening of children ages 3-5 who reside within the school district and are not entering kindergarten in the fall. Utilizing instant auto-refraction of a child’s eyes, the screening may determine the presence of eye disorders that include far- and nearsightedness, astigmatism, strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes), anisometropia (unequal refractive power), and media opacities (for example, cataracts).

A “smiley face” test is used to detect stereopis (how well a child’s eyes work together). No physical contact is made with a child, and eye drops are not necessary. This screening is 85-90 percent effective in detecting problems that can cause decreases in vision.

Parents will receive a child’s results immediately at the screening with either pass or refer recommendations. The Lions Club International Foundation, Ohio Lions Inc., the Ohio Department of Health, Prevent Blindness Ohio, and the Convoy Lions Club sponsor this screening, which will be held Thursday, May 3, from noon-7 p.m., and Friday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Screening will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 220 S. Walnut St.

An appointment is needed and can be obtained by calling 419.238.1514, extension 221.