May 2007 The Diversity Times
Guadalupe School
An adult student was among nearly 100 at the Guadalupe School to receive vision screening and glaucoma tests recently in a community service project by the Lions Clubs and the Moran Eye Center . (Photo courtesy Lions Club)
Lions Club conduct vision screening for adult students
Lions Clubs conducted vision screening at the Guadalupe School for the adult students and parents of younger students.
Nearly 100 people were tested with about 20 percent identified needing further attention.
Included in the screening was also a glaucoma test. No one showed having glaucoma but two showed needing attention by a doctor. Those needing glasses will be referred to their local Lions club to seek further help.
The Moran Eye Center, working with the Salt Lake, Red Butte, Rose Park and Hunter Lions clubs, did the Glaucoma tests as well as the sight screening.
Although 50 percent of all vision loss is preventable or treatable, almost 47, 000 Americans lose their sight each year. Many of these individuals do not have access to affordable eye care.
People with a family history of glaucoma have about a six percent chance of developing glaucoma.
Anyone can develop glaucoma. African-Americans and Hispanics over the age of 40 have a higher danger of getting it. Everyone over the age of 65 should have a Glaucoma check.
Diabetes awareness literature was also distributed to those in attendance, as diabetes is the leading cause of blindness.
Realizing these needs, Utah Lions clubs conduct many projects through out the year to identify eyesight problems and help correct them. They do vision-screening for both young and old, as well as work with the Moran Eye Center, Utah Foundation for the Blind, Special Olympics and the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind.
The Utah Lions Foundation for more than 25 years has worked with the Utah Lions Eye Bank in conducting cornea transplants and promoting eye, organ and tissue donation.
Established nearly 40 years ago, Guadalupe School serves disadvantaged children. Many students come from immigrant families with non-English speaking parents.
Parent-educators coach parents from birth on how to read with their children while elementary-age students have one-on-one reading and study time with school volunteers.