Monticello Lions accepting KidSight donations

     Due to the coronavirus and social distancing, the Monticello Lions Club will be forgoing their annual White Cane Day sales for Iowa KidSight this year. Will you help the Monticello Lions in giving a donation for KidSight?

     Iowa KidSight is a joint project of the Lions Club of Iowa, including Monticello Lions, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. KidSight is dedicated to enhancing the early detection and treatment of vision impairments in young children between 6 months of age through kindergarten in Iowa communities through screening and public education. Lion member John Sauser, trained by KidSight, leads the Monticello Lions Club in screening children’s vision at Monticello and other school districts. The Club hopes to raise substantial funds for the ongoing work of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences services at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital to meet Iowa KidSight goals:

     “Objectively screen vision in infants and young children – for FREE. Educate the public about the risk of undetected vision loss. Identify ways to sustain vision screening program of this type.”

     A child may not be aware that they have a vision problem and are unable to communicate there is a problem. Amblyopia is the most common vision problem in preschool children. It is a decrease in vision in one or both eyes and arises without structural damage to the eye or optic nerve. When amblyopia in undetected or left untreated, it results in permanent vision loss that may adversely affect a person throughout life.

     The results of child vision screening are evaluated at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. If a vision problem is detected, a letter of referral is sent to parents with a list of local ophthalmologists and optometrists. Follow-up is also provided by Iowa KidSight. Parents have shared:

     “Because this screening was located close to our home and free of cost, we didn’t hesitate to take our children.”

     “I can’t thank you enough for this program and I hope you can continue to help other children like my son.”

     To learn more about KidSight, visit www.medicine.uiowa.edu/kidsight. Please consider a donation to KidSight c/o Deb Lacock, 305 E. Fifth St., Monticello, IA 52310.