But no matter, Modern Medicine and 21st Century Technology have proven that the Eyes are truly the window to an important and sometimes life-saving understanding of a person’s health and general well-being.  And beginnings of this understanding can come from procedures that are non-invasive, completely painless, and take no more than a few seconds.  Procedures of this type are performed at no cost to the general public by volunteers called Lions as a major part of the Lions Eye Health Program.

An ironic phenomenon exists in our culture whereby, even though our knowledge of disease, the benefits of good nutrition and exercise, and the availability of health resources are all around us, many are reluctant to take first steps to a course that will sustain their good health until a major symptom or illness strike.  And this is even more prevalent in lower income and those segments of our population with less formal education.

DISTRICT 2-A2 LIONS SIGHT RESEARCH FOUNDATION VISION SCREENING and DIABETIC AWARENESS PROGRAM version of the Lions Eye Health Program offers is the motivation to have follow on comprehensive eye examinations by professionals in the field.  This motivation comes as a wakeup call that is delivered through an education and awareness process stemming from non-diagnostic readings produced through the Lions Mobile Eye Screening Unit and the KidSight Vision Screening Program.  And when a comprehensive eye examination is done, then much more definitive information can be learned.

“A comprehensive eye exam delivers the most effective ”Return on Investment” (ROI) in preventative care.  Medical costs stemming from a variety of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol can be reduced by early identification through comprehensive eye exams.”…    ©2015 Davis Vision Incorporated. All rights reserved.

“ An eye exam is a direct tool to identify diabetic retinopathy and pre-diabetic risk.”

     (Impacts 29 Million Americans, 4.4 Million over age 40)…   National Diabetes Statistics Report,

          2014.

      “ An eye exam can identify hypertension, preventable stroke and cardiac risk.”

    (720,000 Heart Attacks each year)…   Heart Disease Facts, Centers for Disease Control and

           Prevention, 2014.

“ The economic burden of eye disorders and vision loss in the U.S. is approximately $139 Billion.”

     ($6,700 Per person per year)…   Prevent Blindness, The Cost of Vision Problems, 2014.

DISTRICT 2-A2 LIONS EYE HEALTH PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

VISION SCREENINGS

SCREEN 5,000 adults    Utilize the Mobile Eye Screening Unit (MESU) for:

                        Visual Acuity                      Visual Field                 Inter Ocular Pressure

SCREEN 5,000 children 6 months to 5 years of age  KidSight Photo Imaging

                               to obtain Pass – Fail results for:

Refraction    Corneal Curvature   Visual Acuity   Pupil Size asymmetry   Gaze Deviation

CONDUCT DIABETES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

in conjunction with Screenings Identify those self-declared having been diagnosed with diabetes during Screening   Registration  Exit Interview:  Post - Screen Review of Results done by MESU Manager

Vision Screening offers indications, only, and is not equal to complete examination

Encourage comprehensive Eye Examination by Eye Care Professionals for all

      For those Referred, Encourage Comprehensive Eye Examination, soon

      For those self-identified with diabetes:

             Strongly Encourage Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam

             Show posted photo images of Diabetic Retinopathy effects

             Offer Diabetic Retinopathy Quiz and discuss results

             Offer literature about ongoing care to include nutrition, weight gain, exercise

      Inquire if candidates have means to have follow-on examinations, and or, treatment

             Discuss Insurance; Medicare; Medicaid; CHIP and

             Programs available to include local resources and financial aid from Lions Clubs