increased health problems and health care costs are associated with undiagnosed vision problems (National Academy of Sciences, 2016 report). None of this is what amazed parents or grandparents are envisioning for their super smart How can the love of learning be fostered and protected? Let the health care professionals, teachers, parents and community members team up together to help. If a preschooler has an undiagnosed vison problem, that is the age to diagnose and tackle it. Many lifelong ocular health conditions (eye and vison problems) can actually be successfully managed, even cured when found at an early age such a perfect opportunity to keep that – smartphone-laptop-remote-control-programming child on the right track to finding a productive, meaningful career and place in society. Children see what they see and may not even be aware that their vision or they may isn’t very good, be worried about admitting they have a problem. Children can be masters at hiding eye and vision problems, so it takes constant vigilance to ensure a healthy course for that eyes. child’s This is where the Lions Club comes into play. The Keene Lions Club began its KidSight community’s Program in 2012, and like all the Lions Clubs that participate, provide vision screenings to preschoolers. Since the start, the Keene program, with assistance from Chesterfield and Westmoreland Lions Clubs, has expanded its efforts and during 2017 was able to reach 2614 area preschool, kindergarten, 1st and 7th grade children in both public and private school settings. A key component of what makes the KidSight Program so successful is the ease and accuracy of the screening process. The Lions volunteers use a Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener that looks just like an oversized digital camera. From three feet away, the child looks at the screen and in just a few seconds information is gathered about the eyes. child’s A customized report is printed on the spot, and sent home with the child. Refractive error (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism), eye alignment and eye strength imbalances are summarized on the sheet with more than 85 percent accuracy. The report also contains the contact information of local eye doctors. In addition, the Lions Club also offers financial assistance to those unable to afford an eye exam or glasses.
increased health problems and health care costs are associated with undiagnosed vision problems (National Academy of Sciences, 2016 report). None of this is what amazed parents or grandparents are envisioning for their super smart How can the love of learning be fostered and protected? Let the health care professionals, teachers, parents and community members team up together to help. If a preschooler has an undiagnosed vison problem, that is the age to diagnose and tackle it. Many lifelong ocular health conditions (eye and vison problems) can actually be successfully managed, even cured when found at an early age – such a perfect opportunity to keep that smartphone-laptop-remote-control-programming child on the right track to finding a productive, meaningful career and place in society. Children see what they see and may not even be aware that their vision isn’t very good, or they may be worried about admitting they have a problem. Children can be masters at hiding eye and vision problems, so it takes constant vigilance to ensure a healthy course for that child’s eyes. This is where the community’s Lions Club comes into play. The Keene Lions Club began its KidSight Program in 2012, and like all the Lions Clubs that participate, provide vision screenings to preschoolers. Since the start, the Keene program, with assistance from Chesterfield and Westmoreland Lions Clubs, has expanded its efforts and during 2017 was able to reach 2614 area preschool, kindergarten, 1st and 7th grade children in both public and private school settings. A key component of what makes the KidSight Program so successful is the ease and accuracy of the screening process. The Lions volunteers use a Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener that looks just like an oversized digital camera. From three feet away, the child looks at the screen and in just a few seconds information is gathered about the child’s eyes. A customized report is printed on the spot, and sent home with the child. Refractive error (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism), eye alignment and eye strength imbalances are summarized on the sheet with more than 85 percent accuracy. The report also contains the contact information of local eye doctors. In addition, the Lions Club also offers financial assistance to those unable to afford an eye exam or glasses.