More than 12 million school-age children in the United States have some form of vision problem, yet only one in three have received eye care services before age six. Many vision problems run the risk of becoming permanent if not corrected by age seven, when the eye reaches full maturity. Vision also plays an important role in education. According to educational experts, 80 percent of learning is visual.

Vermont Lions provide free vision screenings to schools, early childhood centers, nursery schools and daycare centers. We encourage them to provide this Lions Service to the children in their care.  The actual screening takes less than a minute, but the benefits can last a lifetime.

The Lions Clubs of Vermont purchased Welch Allen spot vision cameras which your club can use to conduct vision screenings in your community. See below for recommended program contents.

• 80% of learning is visual
• Vision problems undetected by age 7 can become permanent
  
• Screening children 6 months to 6 years of age provides early detection. This is a target group where we can do the most good. That said, we should also strive to screen all children in grades K-12, or as required by State statute. 
• Every Child deserves to see the world clearly!

What can your club do?

1) Designate a Vision Screening Chairman and committee members (Visioneers!). Share that information with the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2) Educate your community on the program. Develop a network of local day care providers, ophthamologists, optometrists and school nurses.  Offer them a demonstration of the technology.  Always be clear in your communications that a referral does not mean that the child has vision impairment, it means that the camera has detected an anomoly that should be reviewed by a licensed optician. 

3) Don't wait to get the camera to get started.  Build your network now and develop a schedule for screenings to take place at a later date. Every day the camera sits idle is a day it could be adding value at another location.  Try to develop a schedule that accomplishes all of your screenings in as short a time as possible. 

4) Schedule a camera for your screenings. Cameras are reserved through the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

5) Click here for Screening process tips and screening training. You can also contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule on-site screening training.

6) Please do not print results for non-referrals.  Save money and wear on the printer by only printing referrals. School nurses can accept the downloaded data and print their own copies if they desire.

7) Always delete all data in the camera before leaving a screening. Show your host that the camera has been cleared. Do not retain ANY data. 

8) Invite local press to a screening and promote your efforts!.

9) Count total number of screenings and total number or referrals.  Report this data to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

10) Recognise your Visioneers for their service.

Camera Schedule and Availability:

To schedule a camera for your screening event contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

District Results for FY2018 (7/1/18-6/30/19):

District Results for FY2017 (7/1/17-6/30/18):

District Results for FY2016: