The Glenwood Springs Lions Club has begun a program designed to screen pre-literate children for vision problems that can cause permanent decrease in vision if not corrected. Kidsight is sponsored by Lions Clubs across Colorado in partnership with the University of Colorado Health Science Center. The program is committed to ensuring that all children in Colorado receive the highest quality eye screening available.

Lions clubs conduct vision screenings at no cost to recipients, using a specialized camera called the MTI PhotoScreener. Polaroid photographs of the eyes are taken and sent to a specially trained Reading Center for interpretation. Results are returned to the screening site. Parents of children referred for possible vision problems are given a list of opthamologists and optometrists in their community and are encouraged to make an appointment.

Amblyopia or lazy eye comes from the Greek words meaning dull vision. Amblyopia, if left untreated, can cause a permanent decrease in vision that cannot be corrected with glasses. The PhotoScreener screens for six eye problems that can lead to dull vision:

1. eyes deviate from object – inward, outward or vertical

2. eyes differ in vision – the brain shuts off the weak eye

3. hyperopia – farsightedness

4. myopi- nearsightedness

5. astigmatism – unequal focusing of light

6. light not getting to back of eye

The screening is limited to children age 6 and under. Recent screenings were done at Glenwood Springs Elementary Sept. 23 and 27, when some 80 youngsters were screened.

Parental permission is required. Consent forms are available at elementary school offices and from teachers and Glenwood Lions. For time and place of future screenings call Lions Ed Odell, 928-9901, Tom Weir, 945-4077, or Darrell Stanley, 945-6429.

Lions across Colorado have screened 1,358 children at 54 sites. Of those, 211 children have been referred, for a referral rate of about 15 percent. Also, 207 Lions throughout Colorado have been trained to do screenings and at present 60 clubs are actively doing screenings.