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A main
focus of Lions Clubs around the world is work to protect eyesight.
To this end, our club participates in various programs aimed at
protecting sight:
Recycle for
Sight
The
World Health Organization estimates that the eyesight of one-fourth of
the world's population can be improved through the use of corrective
lenses. Unfortunately for many, a pair of glasses is both unaffordable
and inaccessible. In developing countries, an eye exam costs as
much as one month's wages, and a single doctor may serve a community of
hundreds of thousands of people.
For
nearly 70 years, individual Lions clubs and districts in the
U.S.
,
Canada
and several other
countries have collected used eyeglasses for distribution to the needy
in developing nations.
The
general public is encouraged to donate their used eyeglasses and
sunglasses to their local Lions club.
We maintain collection boxes at our local library and at a number
of local businesses; look for them or check the following for regional Lions
Eyeglass Recycling Centers.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Most
of us are familiar with the freedom, independence and dignity which a
sight impaired person can gain from a trained guide dog.
The Guiding Eyes for the Blind organization in
Yorktown Heights
,
New York
, is an internationally recognized
facility for breeding and training guide dogs and their users.
Our clubs makes annual financial contributions to Guiding
Eyes and hosts an annual dinner for the Guiding
Eyes staff and students. Visit
their website at www.GuidingEyes.Org.
Lions SEE
It
is estimated that 3-5 percent of pre-school age children have vision
problems which, if left untreated, can lead to amblyopia (also known as
“lazy eye”). Amblyopia,
left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye.
We participate in the Lions SEE screening program, which can detect
these problems in children too young to realize there is a problem.
Several of our members have been trained in the use of a special
camera. Screening sessions
are set up at local preschools. Photos
from this camera are examined by medical personnel and, when a problem
is detected, parents are contacted and treatment options are discussed.
Bedford Hills Lions
Club, 2007 |
