By Sarah Wolff

Tomahawk Lions Club member

TOMAHAWK – Tomahawk Lions Club members Dan Salewske and Kevin Wickstrom recently visited two Tomahawk schools to conduct vision screening exams.

Coordinating with the nurses at Tomahawk Elementary School and St. Mary’s Catholic School and using a spot camera borrowed from other area Lions clubs, Salewske and Wickstrom checked the eye health of students four to six years old, with parental consent, from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28.

The spot camera enables fast, painless screening for students both with and without glasses.

“Students look directly into camera, which focuses on the pupil and indicates within seconds anything wrong with the eye,” Salewske said.

Families of students with eye issues are then notified of the need for additional eye examination/care.

According to Salewske, screening takes place directly in individual classrooms. This helps students stay comfortable and happy. Further, the camera technology is extremely efficient, allowing scanning of approximately 25 children within 30 minutes.

Awareness = prevention; prevention is key

As reported on the Lions International website, “Eighty percent of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured. The first step to prevention is awareness. The second is early detection through vision screening. Around the world, Lions partner with medical professionals and community leaders to screen young children, primary school students, and adults to identify those at risk for vision loss.”

Of the 221 total students screened at Tomahawk Elementary School, 32 were found to need further eye examination. Thirty-six St. Mary’s students received screening, with two found to need additional examination. Each school had use of the spot camera for a few days to accommodate scheduled and unscheduled students alike.

The Tomahawk Lions have conducted eye screening for approximately 30 years. Members screen approximately 250¬ to 300 children annually. Students requiring further examination after screening may rely on the Lions to cover the cost of the eye exam and/or glasses if the student’s family cannot pay.

The Tomahawk Lions are honored to provide this service for our community, and will continue eye screening for children far into the future.

About the Tomahawk Lions Club

The Tomahawk Lions take great pride in community support and involvement, hosting and participating in numerous events throughout the year.

Supporting eye health is a Lions priority – in addition to vision screening, the Tomahawk Lions collect used eye glasses at various Tomahawk businesses for recycling. All profits earned go back to various associations, individuals, and our scholarship program.

New members are always welcome. For additional information about the Tomahawk Lions Club, membership or the club’s community involvement, contact Lion Kevin Koth at 715-612-8124.