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Community Corner

Fenton Lions Screen Eyes

The Fenton Lions once again offered free eye screenings for both children and adults, and free diabetes screenings for adults at the Fenton Expo, held at the Fenton High School, in March.  They have been a part of the Expo for the past 14 years.

 

This year, the Lions screened 75 children ages 1-5.  86 children and adults, ages five and over were screened for vision.  There were a total of 34 referrals for children and adults to have their eyes further checked by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.   They also screened 31 adults for diabetes. A registered nurse from the Diabetic Foundation of Michigan was on hand to do the diabetic screenings.  This screening is designed to help prevent diabetic retinopathy, or diabetic blindness.  We would like to thank the Linden Lions and Otisville Lions for their help with this project.

 

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Lion Stu Menzies, who heads up this project for the Fenton Lions, said, “This is a great draw for the Expo.  We have a great relationship with the community and the fact that we can support our community this way is really special.  It is a win-win situation!”   He initially got involved with Project Kidsight when he attended a Lions Forum in Lansing, in 1999.  The year 2000 was the first year of screening eyes at the Fenton Expo.  The support of Children’s Hospital and the State Health Department has been critical to our program.

 

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For financial help or information about eye care assistance programs for your family, please contact the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan Department of Human Services, or the Lions Clubs of Michigan at 517-887-6640.  You can also contact your local Lions Club (Fenton: https://sites.google.com/site/fentonlions/home or 810-354-5610).

 

The Lions use of the new Titmus Eye Screening Machine offers children age 5-adult the chance to have their eyes screened for near sightedness, far sightedness, similar to the eye test for drivers test.

A vision screening can indicate that you need to get an eye exam, but it does not serve as a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. No matter who you are, regular eye exams are important for seeing more clearly, learning more easily and preserving your vision for life.

The Lions were founded on the goal to prevent blindness, and a chance to attack children’s problems with eye health was a real goal that does not come often with community participation goals.  This program really gives Lions a chance to participate in the core goal of Lionism.  “Our club gives members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, serve with friends, and become leaders in the community.  This club means a lot to our Lions, but it means so much more to the people we serve,” said club president Dave Dipka.

If you are interested in learning more about this or any other project the Lions participate in, please look us up on line at https://sites.google.com/site/fentonlions/home or give us a call at 810-354-5610 and leave us a message.  We will get back to you!

 

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