Stillwater Noon Lions Club KidSight USA vision screening program


Lion Club members Juanita Phelan and Doug Emde operate vision screening cameras with local students.

Story and photo provided by Richard Hawkins, Stillwater Noon Lions Club

“Good morning Sam,” says the Stillwater Noon Lions Club camera operator. “I’m going to take a picture of your eyes. Would you look at the flashing red lights in my special camera? Thanks, Sam.”

It only takes a second to take the picture, and after the camera clicks a report is immediately printed that details the condition of Sam’s eyes in seven separate parameters. If the vision test determines the student requires further screening, the report is given to a school administrator who notifies the student’s parents.  

Sam, a Stillwater kindergartener, just participated in the Stillwater Noon Lions vision screening program. Last fall, the Lions checked the vision of 1,249 Stillwater students, of which 14 were private school students and 28 were home schooled students. Of the total number tested 121 were recommended for further screening by an eye specialist.

The Lions International KidSight Program performs vision screenings through thousands of Lions Club programs in the United States. Stillwater Noon Lions concentrates its screening on Pre-K through 2nd grade students. This year, Stillwater Lions expanded its vision screening to private and homeschool students of all ages.   

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions Club International Convention and urged them “to be Knights of the Blind in a crusade against blindness.” Since then, Lions worldwide have created programs to “improve sight, prevent blindness and other visual impairment, and improve eye health and eye care for millions of people around the world.”        

The Lions KidSight USA Foundation is a nationwide program to safeguard the vision of children, which screens over 1.5 Million children per year. The mission of Lions KidSight USA “is to ensure eye screening and follow-up care to all kids because every child deserves to learn and see the world clearly. According to education experts, 80% of learning is visual, so if a child cannot see well, he cannot learn well.” Learn more about KidsSight USA by visiting their website at lionskidsightusa.org.       

“Good morning Sam,” says the Stillwater Noon Lions Club camera operator. “Sam, I’m going to take a picture of your eyes. Would you look at the flashing red lights in my special camera? Thanks, Sam.”

It only takes a second to take the picture, and after the camera clicks a report is immediately printed that details the condition of Sam’s eyes in seven separate parameters. If the vision test determines the student requires further screening, the report is given to a school administrator who notifies the student’s parents.  

Sam, a Stillwater kindergartener, just participated in the Stillwater Noon Lions vision screening program, which this fall checked the vision of 1,249 Stillwater students, of which 14 were private school students and 28 were homeschooled students. Of the total number tested 121 were recommended for further screening by an eye specialist.

The Lions International KidSight Program performs vision screenings through thousands of Lions Club programs in the United States. Stillwater Noon Lions concentrates its screening for Pre-K through 2nd grade students. This year, Stillwater Lions expanded its vision screening to private and homeschool students of all ages.   

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions Club International Convention and urged them “to be Knights of the Blind in a crusade against blindness.” Since then, Lions worldwide have created programs to “improve sight, prevent blindness and other visual impairment, and improve eye health and eye care for millions of people around the world.”        

The Lions KidSight USA Foundation is a nationwide program to safeguard the vision of children, which screens over 1.5 Million children per year. The mission of Lions KidSight USA “is to ensure eye screening and follow-up care to all kids because every child deserves to learn and see the world clearly. According to education experts, 80% of learning is visual, so if a child cannot see well, he cannot learn well.” Learn more about KidsSight USA by visiting their website at lionskidsightusa.org.