Francis Scott Key Lions Lynn Stimmel (holding mascot Leo) and John Aulls; and Emmitsburg Lions Bill Wivell (holding clip board), Nancy Smith (holding stickers), and Rachel Wivell (holding camera); not shown, Emmitsburg Lion Sharon Hane.
Putting into action the organization’s motto of “We Serve,” members representing two Frederick County Lions Clubs recently came together on a service project when approximately 220 students at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg received vision screenings performed by Lions members on two dates in February. Over 52 Lions service hours were spent on this effort. This was the fifth consecutive year for the joint screening effort.
The children were brought to a non-invasive testing station utilizing PlusoptiX S12C eye-vision technology to capture an image of the children’s eyes and automatically determine whether a vision impairment, such as near- or far-sightedness or astigmatism, was present. The tester holds the unit approximately one meter from the child and asks the child to focus on the smiling face on the front of the camera. At the completion of the testing, younger children received a Lion sticker to indicate they had completed the screening process.
The parents/guardians of all children tested received written test results to indicate whether their child was recommended to see a vision professional for a potential problem or was unable to be screened. While the vast majority of children passed, readings obtained by trained Lions indicated that some of the children needed to be seen by vision professionals for potential vision anomalies. The advanced technology of the PluxoptiX camera provides readings that are printed out either on a label which is attached to the letter for use by the vision professional of the parents’ choice.
Lions members participating in the screenings included: Sharon Hane, Nancy Smith, and Bill and Rachel Wivell from the Emmitsburg Lions Club; and John Aulls and Lynn Stimmel from Francis Scott Key Lions Club.
Child care centers or organizations that want to learn more about the Lions preschool vision screening program or to schedule a screening should contact Emmitsburg Lion Bill Wivell at wdwrpw@gmail.com or 301/473-2275, or Francis Scott Key Lion John Aulls at aulls2@comcast.net or 301/662-2360.
