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Early detection of vision problems and eye disorders can have a lifelong impact. That's why the Lions Clubs of Iowa and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital have teamed up to offer free vision screenings for children aged six months through kindergarten through Iowa KidSight. Locally, the Marshalltown Evening Lions will host a free drop-in event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Marshalltown Public Library for children in that age range to be evaluated.
"We picked the date because we have a large homeschooled group of about 75 families coming for this, but we want anyone and everyone to also come," said Evening Lions member Debi Estabrook. "This is our first time offering this publically at the library. We have done screenings at storytime at the library. We will do that again."
In years past, the now defunct Marshalltown Lioness group offered the free screenings. In 2021, the Evening Lions took over the program, which also offers free eye screenings in Marshalltown grade schools each fall along with some daycares and preschools.
"The Evening Lions stepped up, got the training, and now they've taken on the KidSight project," said longtime Noon Lion Judy Stone.
Children will have their eyes photographed using a specialized camera. The procedure is not invasive and requires no down time. There are no income requirements for this free service. Those photos are then sent to the UI Children's Hospital for evaluation. About two weeks later, parents and guardians will receive the results, which may include a referral letter for further treatment.
This service seeks to aid families that may otherwise not be able to afford to see an optometrist.
"Children might be making due with not being able to see well," Estabrook said. "Our first year taking this over, in 2021, we screened 696 children. Thirty-three of those children were referred for further care and 17 were monitored. Then in 2022, we screened 809 children with 38 referred and 12 monitored. In 2023, the Lions screened 1,037 children with 77 referred and 41 monitored."
There are 74 screening devices in the State of Iowa with local Lions Clubs raising funds to cover the costs of the cameras, which fetch $10,000 each.
Stone said vision and hearing causes are close to the hearts of Lions Club members.
"In 1925, at our international convention, Helen Keller spoke and asked us to become knights of the blind," Stone said. "Since that time, vision and hearing have been our top core projects. In that process, someone was smart enough to get on the front end and prevent the need for glasses down the road with KidSight."
Early detection and treatment can help prevent amblyopia (lazy eye). And in some cases, poor academic performance and behavior issues can be the result of uncorrected vision problems.
"I really believe in this early screening -- as it can make a really big difference in kids' lives and obviously in their literacy path," said Youth Services Manager Joa LaVille.
Stone oversees the eyeglasses recycling program at the state-level, which allows people to drop off their unwanted eyeglasses at optometrist offices and participating pharmacies and Walmarts, year-round.
"The eyeglasses go to the district governors then they come to me. We have a location in Marshalltown where we store them all," she said. "We sort them, pack them and take them to Anamosa Prison where the prescriptions are read, lenses cleaned and they're packaged to be ready for mission trips."
The Lions also collect used hearing aids, which can be dropped off at the same locations as the eyeglasses.
"We have a couple up in Allison, Iowa that collects the hearing aids and reconditions them," she noted. "If there is a financial need, we will provide the person with free hearing aids. We have several audiologists here in town and all over the state that will donate their services and fit them with those reconditioned hearing aids."
Stone said the best part of volunteering with KidSight is getting to interact with the kids.
"Some of the things that come out of children's mouths are absolutely marvelous," she said. "You cannot do a day of KidSight and not come away smiling and feeling good about it."
To learn more about KidSight and eyeglasses and hearing aid donations, Stone may be reached at: 641-328-0270 and Jstone4254@live.com