LIONS CLUB RECOGNIZED

The Frostburg Lions Club was recently recognized for its’ Vision Screening Program by the Judy Center pre-school program of Allegany county.

“We’re not in it for the recognition,” said Lion President Bill Munck. “Preserving the vision of children is what it’s all about.” But, he indicated, “it’s nice to know this service is useful and appreciated.”

The Vision Screening Program, offered each school year by the Frostburg Lion, and other area Lions Clubs, is the premier vision screening program in the area, and is provided free of charge. Annually, well over 200 small children are screen by Lions, and when a visual problem is detected, steps are taken to work with parents to correct the problems.

Though the program is free, and totally noninvasive, may parents still don’t have their children screened. “We just don’t understand that,” said Munck. “You would think parents would jump at having their kids eyes checked.”

The current process uses a specially constructed Polaroid camera that is capable of taking two photographs per frame of film. These photographs are then forwarded to the University of Iowa, where they are professional evaluated for a variety of eye problems. Results are returned to the Lions Vision Screening Center in Lanham, MD. When a problem is detected, the parents are notified directly, with recommendations that the child see an eye care professional as soon as possible.

Lion Edge Deuel, Vision Screening Coordinator for the Frostburg Lions indicated that at a recent screening in Frostburg: “25% of the children screened had significant eye problems detected, and were referred for further examination.“ Screenings are generally conducted during the day at schools, and day cares. Lions use their vacation time from work, if necessary to complete these screenings.

The process is simple, painless, and at no cost to parents. Everything is done in a matter of minutes with minimal interruption from the school day. No eye drops are used. “The flash from the camera creates the necessary effects,” said Deuel who has been the Frostburg coordinator for over three years.

The Vision Screening Program, completely organized and financed by Lions cost an estimated $70,000.00 a year to run. Lions Clubs, through various fundraising projects, keep the program going, and hope to expand it.

“We are integrating a new camera into the mix,” said Munck. “It will bring us into the digital age.”

The new devise, smaller, lighter and digitalized, provides results almost immediately. One simply aims the camera at a child eyes, and snaps a digital image. The camera, and its internal computers, then analyzes this image. The camera is then aimed at a special computer printer, and the results of several tests are printed out.

Using different charts and graphs Lions can determine “on the spot” if a child should be referred for eye care professional consultation. Not only can the new devise screen children, but adults as well. This will open up a whole new range of people for vision screenings, such as senior centers. Cost for the new camera is over $4,000.00.

“This new devise is the wave of the future,” said Munck. “Film is getting harder to locate, and the cost is rising. We want to help more people, the new camera can do that.”

Screening with the new style camera will begin this spring. Like the old camera, there are no eye drops, and no pain or discomfort from the screening. Lions Clubs will continue to provide vision screening free of charge.

For more information about Lions Vision Screening Programs for children, and for adults with the new camera, please contact your local Lions Club, or call 301.687.0212

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