Kindergarten Girl Now Seeing Clearly After Amblyopia Screening
Jennifer Bright was quite surprised when she received a postcard from the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation in December 2007 stating that her daughter showed symptoms of amblyopia. Jennifer said she was sure there was nothing wrong with her
five-year-old daughter Allison, and even Allison's kindergarten teacher thought her vision was okay as well.

Though Jennifer allowed Allison to be screened at her school in September 2007, she said she did not have any prior knowledge of amblyopia or its related vision abnormalities. When she received the postcard after the screening, Jennifer went online to further research Allison's possible vision problem.

In addition to doing her own research after being notified by MLERF, Jennifer also took Allison to an eye care professional immediately. As it turned out, Allison was diagnosed as being far-sighted and was prescribed glasses. Due to Jennifer's diligence, Allison was already fitted for and wearing her glasses before she arrived back at school following winter break.

When Allison first tried her glasses, "she kept them on all day and was looking at everything like it was the first time," said Jennifer. "She didn't want to take her new glasses off."

Looking back, Jennifer said there were some signs that Allison was having vision problems. "She wouldn't be able to find something, but it might be right in front of her," said Jennifer. Though her daughter functioned well overall, Jennifer still had some worries in the back of her mind.

Today, Allison wears her glasses everyday and only takes them off during gym and her karate class. Jennifer said Allison's glasses have helped her with reading, as she is not pausing or struggling as much over words. Allison will need to continue to wear glasses full-time, and will return to see her eye doctor for a follow-up visit in a few months.

Jennifer was happy that the Lions screening caught Allison's farsightness, since Allison is now in school. "I can't imagine what her vision may have been like in two years (without the screening)," Jennifer said.

MLERF Program Statistics
As of this current fiscal year (July 1) through February 29, here are our vision program statistics.

Upcoming Events
May 2-4 , 2008 : Missouri Lions State Convention at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Jefferson City.

The postmark deadline for registering for the convention luncheons, banquet and golf is April 10. After this date, $10 is added to each of these registration fees. Email molions@embarqmail.com for registration forms and information.

Looking for more detailed information on our upcoming amblyopia and glaucoma screenings? Visit our screening calendar online.