Lions have eye on kids’ vision

Did you realise that one in five Children have an undetected vision problem?  Lions Vision Screening teams are operational in every Australian State and Territory.  Lions Eye Health Programs (LEHP’s) Children’s Vision Screening Program is the most comprehensive program currently available in Australia.  

Lions’ Clubs on the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland have Lions members who are trained to screen children in local schools, including Maleny Blackall Range Lions, Blackall Range, Caloundra, Lake Currimundi Kawana, Caloundra, and Caloundra West.

All screeners are Lions Australia volunteers who have successfully completed a three-phase training and accreditation process.  A working with children checks/Blue Card or similar is mandated.

The Facts

Vision disorders can have a profound effect on a child’s growth and development:

•  Up to 80% of a child’s learning happens through their eyes

•  Most children accept vision problems and adapt.  They rarely complain as they believe everyone sees the world just like they do

•  Once detected, most eye conditions in children can be easily corrected

•  Along with allergies and asthma, eye disorders are the most common health conditions suffered by children

•  All children should have a full eye examination before starting school and regularly as they progress through their education.

Screenings are performed to detect any vision issues associated with;

•  Myopia (near-sightedness)

•  Hyperopia (farsightedness)

•  Astigmatism (Blurred vision)

•  Anisometropia (unequal refraction power)

•  Binocular Vision (eye misalignment)

•  Anisocoria (unequal pupil size)

All information in relation to the screening is given to the school Principal and personalised letters are written and addressed to the relevant parent/guardian.  In this letter the results of the screenings are identified, highlighting any areas of concern that should be referred on to an Optometrist for further examination if required.