SIGHT AND HEARING
SINCE ITS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN 1925 WHEN HELEN KELLER CHALLENGED THE LIONS TO BE
" KNIGHTS OF THE BLIND IN THE CRUSADE AGAINST DARKNESS", 
LIONS CLUB MEMBERS HAVE ADOPTED THE PRIMARY MISSION OF AIDING THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

LIONS EXTEND THEIR COMMITMENT   TO SIGHT THROUGH MANY EFFORTS:

• ESTABLISHING AND SUPPORTING THE LIONS EYE BANKS  AND EYE RESEARCH CENTERS

• PROVIDING FREE GLAUCOMA AND VISION SCREENINGS

•     

• COLLECTING USED EYEGLASSES FOR DISTRIBUTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

•   

• PROVIDING EYE CARE, EYEGLASSES, GUIDE DOGS, AND OTHER VISUAL AIDS TO THOSE IN NEED.

THROUGH THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL "RECYCLE FOR SIGHT" PROGRAM, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. YOU MAY DEPOSIT YOUR USED, UNWANTED EYEGLASSES IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN THE SALISBURY AREA:

OR CALL 1-800-74-SIGHT TO FIND THE MOST CONVENIENT DROP OFF LOCATION.

THE SALISBURY LIONS CLUB PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE RESIDENTS OF THE SALISBURY AREA WITH SIGHT AND/OR HEARING PROBLEMS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY VISION AND HEARING AIDS. TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE SALISBURY LIONS CLUB AT P.O. BOX 665, SALISBURY, MD 21801. ALL INFORMATION IS HELD IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.

LINKS TO OTHER SITES FOR INFORMATION AND HELP

• WILMER EYE INSTITUTE

This site also has links to the following organizations. Just click here and select the organization logo: The Achromatopsia Network;  American Board of Ophthalmology; American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery; Macular Degeneration Foundation; The Glaucoma Foundation; NOAH; Prevent Blindness America and Vitreous Society Online.

• LIONS EYEGLASS RECYCLING CENTERS

• GUIDE DOG SCHOOLS

• LIONS EYE  BANKS
  
• JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CENTER FOR HEARING and BALANCE
  
• AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION
  
• NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH

From the National Eye Institute, National Institute of Health:

More than 60 million Americans are at risk of losing their eyesight to glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the United States.  Fortunately, through early detection and timely treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled before it causes severe vision loss or blindness.  However, many people at high risk for the disease are unaware of the importance of early detection and the need to have their eyes examined on a regular basis.   Individuals at high risk for glaucoma include African Americans over age 40, everyone over age 60, and people with a family history of the disease.

Among Blacks, studies show that glaucoma is:

• Three to four times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites.
• About six times more likely to cause blindness in Blacks than in Whites.
• Fifteen times more likely to cause blindness in Blacks between the ages of 45-64 than in Whites of the same age group.

People at high risk for glaucoma need to receive a dilated eye exam at least every two years.

Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma !

For more information on glaucoma, you can contact:

The Glaucoma Foundation
33 Maiden Lane, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10038
1-800-GLAUCOMA
212-504-1900
www.glaucoma-foundation.org/info

National Eye Institute,
National Institutes of Health
2020 Vision Place
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655
301-496-5248
http://www.nei.nih.gov/

Prevent Blindness America
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
1-800-331-2020
847-843-2020
http://www.preventblindness.org/

American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141-7881
1-888-396-EYES

From the American Optometric Association:

VISION USA is a non profit, tax-exempt, charity developed by doctors of optometry who are members of the American Optometric Association. Its sole purpose is to provide basic eye health and vision care services without charge to uninsured, low income workers and their families who have no other means of obtaining care.

An estimated 30 million low income working people and their families in the United States need eye care but cannot afford insurance or the cost of ordinary care. Since these people work and earn income, they often fall between the cracks of government and private health care assistance. VISION USA hopes to help these people to see what they're missing.

To be eligible to receive services, individuals must:

• be working or be part of a household with one member working at least part time;
• have no insurance that covers eye examinations;
• have an income below an established level based on household size; and
• have not had an eye examination within the past 24 months.

Eligible patients are matched with a volunteer doctor of optometry in their area who will provide a comprehensive eye examination without cost. All services are provided in the doctor's office. When needed, eyeglasses may also be provided at no cost.

To be screened for eligibility, call VISION USA toll-free at 1-800-766-4466. You MUST call now in order to be eligible for services in 4 to 6 weeks.