NH Lions Clubs- New Technology For Free Children’s Eye
Screenings
l-r: Richard Gibson, program coordinator assisting Thomas
Langlais, screener, Johnathan Langlais posing as child.
Operation Kidsight is a major service program adopted by NH
Lions Clubs. The program is available in Pittsfield, Barnstead,
Epsom, Chichester, Loudon, Pembroke, Northwood and Allenstown at
local schools and daycare facilities.
A
screening device called the SpotScreener manufactured by
Welch-Allyn has been used in the last few years to screen the
eyes of 6 month to 12 year old children. With the addition of
this screener system, we are now able to reach a broader
audience so that we are able to provide exams for all the school
children in New Hampshire. The goal is to examine all children
on a yearly basis.
The
system is very simple. After entering data into the device, we
focus on the child’s eyes, and within less than a minute, it
registers as finished. Then the results are sent to the printer
and the parent has a report of the results. The school nurse or
daycare provider is able to give the report to the parent who is
quickly informed if the child needs follow-up with an eye care
provider.
Issues that may be detected as needing attention include:
•
Near-sightedness
•
Far-sightedness
•
Unequal refractive power
•
Blurred vision or eye structure problems
•
Pupil-size deviations
•
Eye misalignment
In
just seconds, Spot provides a comprehensive, reliable analysis
that enables informed decision making about the need for
follow-up diagnosis
This type of testing is effective for our younger children
because it does not require letter recognition, reading ability,
or response from a child. The earlier the vision is evaluated
the better as vision can be corrected before the eyes are fully
developed. The actual screening process works by detecting
scattering of infrared light from the retina. It is quick,
painless, and non-threatening. The children are encouraged to
watch their classmates getting their exams and are rewarded with
a Lion to color afterward.
Please encourage your local school or day care to contact your
local Lions Club to participate in this program.
Epsom-Chichester Lions Club
[email protected]
603-736-9942
Suncook Valley Lions Club in Pittsfield
[email protected]
603-435-7861
Saddleback Lions Club in Northwood
[email protected] 603-942-8511
Loudon Lions Club
[email protected]
603-798-3175
Help us reach all the children in the area so we can achieve
great eye care for our children.
