The Camden Lions, the South Thomaston Lions, and the Waldoboro Lions held a vision screening clinic during the Union Fair and Blueberry Festival in Union, Maine, August 21-27. Sight conversation is a Lion Clubs’ primary objective, followed by diabetes and hearing. Vision screening is part of that objective.

 During the screening process, a camera-like device called "SPOT"  is used to detect six different eye problems to be further evaluated by an eye specialist.

An image is taken of the eye with no touching or drops used. Those six eye conditions are as follows: Myopia (near-sightedness), Hperopia (far-sightedness), Anisometropia (unequal refractive power), Astigmatism (blurred vision, eye structure issue), Anisocoria (pupil size deviations) and Strabismus (eye misalignment, gaze),

The Lions scanned 71 adults and children during their time at the Fair and made seven referrals.  An evaluation referral report was printed for each discovered eye condition. 

This report will give an eye specialist an early opportunity to see exactly what the patient's condition is. Five of those referrals were children. When children have an eye condition, it is difficult for them to follow classroom activities. The scan Lions use could allow those children to obtain better vision and an opportunity to improve in classrooms and in life in general. 

The Camden, South Thomaston, and Waldoboro Lions were happy to help these participants. For further information on how to set up a vision clinic in your area, you may call: Lions John McKay at 975-0242, Ed Worthley at 542-2268 or Michele Cooney at 785-0071.