BEDFORD – The four local Lions Clubs (Bedford, Bedford Noon, Mitchell, and Fayetteville Community), will be conducting a countywide free vision screening and diabetes testing for all adults and children at the Lawrence County 4-H Fair from Sunday, July 9th, through Friday, July 14th, 2023 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. and on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 3 p.m. until to 8 p.m.
There will be no cost for any of the screenings.
All visual acuity screenings will be performed with Optec 5000 visual testing machines purchased with grants from the Lawrence County Community Foundation and GM Powertrain/Friends of Powertrain Charity for Kids.
The screenings will take place in the Commercial Expo Building at the fairgrounds thanks to the support of four community-minded sponsors: Day & Carter Mortuary, Brent Maudlin State Farm Insurance, Williams Wealth LLC, and George Wealth Management Group.
All adults will be screened for both far and near visual acuity and proper peripheral vision using a Humphrey FDT visual field testing machine.
The Lions also have free reading glasses to give out to people indicating a need for them from their acuity testing.
Children of all ages will be screened for far and near visual acuity. Kids ages 1 to 6 will be screened by a PlusOptix camera purchased with a grant from the Lawrence County Foundation, and results will be evaluated by an ophthalmologist at the KidSight office in Indianapolis with their findings being sent back to the parents.
The eye screening process only takes about 10 to 15 minutes and will be done on a first come first screened walk-in basis. We request that a simple registration form be completed on arrival for each adult and child being screened to help us both in the screening process and report the findings back to the individuals.
The Lion screeners will be screening to determine how well each person can see and also look forother problems that may be present.
Vision screening of all children is vital, since 1 out of 20 preschool children has a correctable vision problem and 1 out of 4 school-age children have some type of vision problem. Children don’t really know how well they should be seeing, so they will not complain about having poor vision.
A written report is provided for each person screened and, if screening indicates, a recommendation for a professional eye exam will be made. This eye screening is not intended to be a complete eye exam, like those performed by your eye doctor! It cannot be emphasized too strongly the importance of seeing your eye doctor if this screening suggests the possibility of some vision problem.
The diabetes testing will consist of a blood glucose test with a Pogo testing machine which is supplied by the Lions District E diabetes awareness team, and each person will receive a report on their blood sugar level. Materials on diabetes awareness are also available to everyone.
Lions are trying to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the lives of those living with diabetes. One in 11 people in the US is living with diabetes and 1 in 3 US adults are living with pre-diabetes but 90% don’t know it. Pre-diabetes is becoming more prevalent among teenagers and children. If caught early and controlled multiple other health issues can be prevented over the years. The testing is only an assessment, not a diagnosis. It is provided to make people aware so they can follow up with their primary physician if needed.
When you bring your family out to the Fair please stop at the Lions booth and SEE us.
