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Lions KidSight USA
Saving Kids’ Sight
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25 Million Kids Need You, So Get Involved Today!
Lions of the USA are pleased to announce Lions KidSight USA, a nationwide program to safeguard the vision of children aged 6 months through 6 years.
According to educational experts, 80% of learning is visual. So if a child can’t see well, he can’t learn well. Yet most young children don’t get their vision screened until they have problems learning or paying attention in school. By then, it may already be too late. Unless vision problems are detected early and corrected, they risk becoming permanent by age 7.
Lions in the USA already screen more than 500,000 kids per year through state-wide and local programs often known as “KidSight.” Lions KidSight USA is a national coalition that brings together Lions programs that screen kids from 6 months to 6 years of age in order create a coordinated national program.
Our mission is to ensure eye screening and follow-up care is given to all kids because every child deserves to learn and see the world clearly. To do this, we will work with Lions to increase the number of screening programs around the country in order to reach more children when it is possible and where it is needed.
The Need Is Real
About 7-15% of kids screened – nearly 4 million – will be referred for a follow-up exam by an eye-care professional. Approximately 5% of all children in this age group will have amblyopia, a treatable disorder that can result in permanently reduced vision when not addressed by an early age. The screening devices detect risk factors for amblyopia, such as strabismus (eyes that cross or wander out), refractive errors and unequal vision between the two eyes, and potentially even more serious issues such as cataracts and eye cancer.
Change a Life by Becoming a Vision Screener
With just minutes of training, any Lion or volunteer can screen the vision of a child. Just push a few buttons and the screening devices used in KidSight do all the work for you. Screening devices even generate the results immediately for easy management of screening results. It’s simple, it’s fun, and there’s nothing more rewarding then helping a child!
Three Models to Choose from
It’s easy to get started! If your club is not already providing children’s eye screenings, here are three suggested models that can evolve over time. Remember, 25 million kids are counting on us, and we’re counting on you to help make this national screening initiative a success!
Beginner – Just getting started
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Club (or zone on a sharing basis) has a screening device
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Club(s) has a HIPAA-compliant system to screen children at places such as pre-K institutions, Head Start programs, community health clinics and community organizations, health fairs and others
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A HIPAA-compliant permission form parents need to sign
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A HIPAA-compliant document detailing screening results that can be shared with parents or guardians
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The ability to provide/fund follow-up exams and care for the medically indigent, or at least a list of resources/agencies that can help
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Maintain a list of screening information including the number of children screened and percentage referred for an exam
Intermediate – Take it to next level
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All the above
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Coordinate program at the district level or by a district foundation
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A network of eye care professionals supporting the program
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A coordinator, either a Lion volunteer or a paid staff person, to schedule/coordinate screenings and support clubs with the program (parental permissions, referral and follow-up care coordination, etc.)
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Pursue regional partnerships
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Maintain a central database of the number of children screened, referral rates, and if possible outcome data of eye exams
Advanced – Go for the gold-standard
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All the above
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Coordinate program at the MD level and may have a university or hospital partner with paid staff to coordinate program
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Pursue state-level partnerships with professional eye care organizations and education associations, and seek state government funding or program collaborations
Share Lions KidSight USA with your club, and then get started today!
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact Dr. Ed Cordes (PID) at pided.LionsKidSightUSA@gmail.com for more information.
How can LCIF help my screening program?
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is supporting the development of our national program. LCIF will consider matching grants for districts where at least two more clubs are financially involved, per the regular grant criteria.
Districts or MDs can apply for a matching Standard Grants in amounts between US$10,000 and US$100,000 to purchase or replace/upgrade devices and put in place other program infrastructures. LCIF has already awarded US$2,199,990 in grants since fiscal year 2000-2001 to help districts and MDs in the USA start KidSight and children’s eye screening programs.
Clubs are also encouraged to invest in a screening device using local resources, including community grants and regional Lions foundations to maximize available resources. Screening device manufacturers may also be able to temporarily loan a device to a club so Lions can get started before a permanent device is purchased.
How Is the KidSight USA Project Structured?
Lions KidSight USA was launched by groups representing MD 6, MD 9, MD 12, MD 16, MD 17, MD 20, MD 23, MD 24, MD 25, with assistance from International President Preston, 2nd VP Bob Corlew, and PIPs Al Brandel, Jim Ervin, and Wayne Madden. MDs 8, 11, 15, 28, 36, 44 and others also have robust screening programs. A larger program committee will be formed with the Founding Coalition Members above and representatives from each multiple district that wants to be involved.
Does Lions KidSight USA have any national partners?
Two equipment manufactures of the screening devices – Plusoptix and Welch Allyn – are proud Project Partners, and both are providing generous financial support for the development of this national program.
What are the benefits of a national program?
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Directly impact the vision health of our nation’s children
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Establish a national brand or Lions identity that is clearly recognized by the public
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Experienced Lions KidSight Programs can mentor new ones
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Opportunities for more partnerships – from eye care companies, education groups, professional eye care bodies, to local, state and federal government agencies
Is the Lions Clubs International Board of Directors supporting this initiative?
Yes, the board unanimously passed a resolution at their June 2014 meeting endorsing the development of Lions KidSight USA, and LCI staff is assisting with the program.
Download this Home Page and print to
share at a Lions Club meeting - download -
Download the KidSight USA logo - download -
Download the KidSight USA PowerPoint - download
To get involved, or review models in various states, click here:
To get involved, or review models in various states, click here
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
