News : Kidsight screenings underway: Lions provide free service to area families

KidSight: Vinton Lion Chuck Peterson uses a high-tech camera to screen a boy's eyes in La Porte.

The Lions KidsSight team has conducted screenings recently at daycares, Head Start and Tilford Elementary in Vinton. They will be testing kindergarten students at Shellsburg Elementary in October.

The Vinton Lions have screened over 900 children since 2004, and they are stepping up their game this fall due to new state regulations. Such screening, whether by a paid professional or trained volunteer, is now required by law. Iowa HF548/SF419 requires “the parent of a child enrolled in a public or accredited non-public elementary school to ensure the child is screened for vision impairments at least once [within 12 months of entering] kindergarten…” Documentation of this Lions KidSight screening satisfies the requirement at no cost to the family.

Since 2004 Vinton Lions have screened over 900 children, sharing special high-tech equipment with eight other clubs in the area. The photos are sent electronically, to be evaluated by Deptartment of Opthalmology specialists at UI Children’s Hospital who determine the need for further follow up by eye care professionals and send results to parents.

About one in 25 children tested will require further screening and remediation. One of the most common vision problems detected and treated in early stages of development is amblyopia (“lazy eye”) which causes permanent vision loss if left untreated.