Over 150 children in the Laytonsville
area have received free vision screening from the Laytonsville Lions
The Laytonsville Lions, as apart of Lion Clubs
of District 22-C (serving Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's
and St. Mary's counties in Maryland and the District of Columbia), is
offering a free vision screening program for the early detection
of Amblyopia in children who are 6 months to 48 months old. This
screening is not necessary for children who are currently fitted
with glasses or whose eyes have recently been examined by an eye
care professional. These professional examinations exceed the capability
of this vision screening process.
Amblyopia is Greek
word simply translated as "dull eye" or commonly referred
to as "lazy eye". It is caused by a set of childhood eye
disorders that result when the brain receives unequal or abnormal
visual input from the eyes the brain shuts off the bad eye and slows
its development in relation to the good eye. If uncorrected Amblyopia
may lead to irreversible vision loss. Amblyopia develops most rapidly
in the early years old child's life and affects 3% to 5% of all American
children. The need for early detection of amblyopia and factors that
cause amblyopia is widely recognized. Amblyogenic factors include:
Strabismus - Both eyes cannot be directed to the same object exactly
Anisometropia -A difference in refraction between the eyes
Hyperia -Far-sightness
Myopia -Near-sightness
Astigmatism -Unequal focusing of the light rays as they enter
the eye, causing a blurring of the object.
Amblyopia is usually more easily treatable
if addressed before the age of 4. Unfortunately the majority of children
do not receive proper eye exams until they enter school. In many
cases it is a condition that cannot be easily detected by a parent/guardian.
Most pre-schoolchildren have their eyes checked by general health
practitioners and pediatricians who may not have the equipment to
perform an eye screening or exam.
The Lions vision screening program is based
on using photoscreening technology for the detection
of Amblyopia. Photo screening methodology is simple: a flash photograph
of the child's eye is taken using a camera and high speed film. Light
reflected from the retina on the photograph is analyzed to detect
problems that cause amblyopia. A hand held camera takes two instant
Polaroid flash pictures of the child's eyes and places the images
on the single photograph. Crescent marks and tell tale shadows appear
in the child's pupils if the eyes are not focusing properly. Taking
flash pictures is a non-invasive procedure for screening children's
eyes and no eye drops are necessary. Photoscreening is only a screening
process is not a substitute for a professional eye examination.
Lions volunteers from the Laytonsville Lions
Club, trained in the camera operations and vision screening procedures,
photograph children at sites in the greater Laytosnville area such
as day care centers, nurseries, religious schools and other organized
sites. Photographs are professionally interpreted and the results
returned to the parents. If the child is referred as a result of
the screening process, the child should see an ophthalmologist or
optometrist for further examination.
Parent or guardian consent is required before
the screening can be performed. If you have questions contact
the Laytonsville Lions Club or the Lions Club District Program
Office at 301- 577-6770. Again, this is a free service offered by
the Lions and there is no cost to the parent/guardian or the daycare
provider.
detection
of Amblyopia. Photo screening methodology is simple: a flash photograph
of the child's eye is taken using a camera and high speed film. Light
reflected from the retina on the photograph is analyzed to detect
problems that cause amblyopia. A hand held camera takes two instant
Polaroid flash pictures of the child's eyes and places the images
on the single photograph. Crescent marks and tell tale shadows appear
in the child's pupils if the eyes are not focusing properly. Taking
flash pictures is a non-invasive procedure for screening children's
eyes and no eye drops are necessary. Photoscreening is only a screening
process is not a substitute for a professional eye examination.