Lions KidSight USA Foundation Newsletter - August 2017 LKSUSAF Our Internet Presence Website - www.lionskidsightusa.org Facebook - www.facebook.com/lksusaf Store - (coming soon) LionsKidsightStore.org What’s at the website? • The Need is Real • Information for Parents • Sample Forms • Standards for Screening • Screening Models • Training Manual & Videos • Success Videos • - and more - Lions KidSight USA Foundation Chairman’s Message Hello Lions. I hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful summer. Lions Clubs International has now officially entered into its second century of service. The celebration at the international convention in Chicago was wonderful and International President Naresh Aggarwal certainly inspired us all to reach even higher service goals through the “Power of WE” and living up to our motto “We Serve”. As the summer winds down it is time for us to plan our Lions KidSight children’s vision screening activities. Now is the time to ensure our equipment is in full working order. You may want to reach out to the schools and agencies at which you screen to confirm timing and that all the details are in place so a smooth start up can take place. Be sure you have all your permission slips and other screening supplies you will need in stock and ready to go. As the vision screening season gets ramped up for the 2017-18 Lions’ year I want to take a few minutes to emphasize one of the standard screening policies which I have noticed during my travels is sometimes not well understood or followed. The policy is that we should NOT screen adults. The devices we use are designed for children's vision screening. They are outstanding in detecting the risk factors for eye conditions for which children are at risk. Our devices do not detect diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degenera- tion, or any of the many other diseases for which adults are at risk. At best, the devices MAY give an estimate of a possible prescription for glasses. However, as we age our pupils get smaller and the ocular tissue the light must pass through to get a reading becomes less transparent. Therefore, the prescription reading is not as accurate as a comprehen- sive eye exam. I realize that many will say they em- phasize that the screening they are doing is Chairman Message, continued to page 2 Article from the Lions of Oregon “Without the Lions vision screening and their technology, your daughter would have lost her vision in the afflicted eye”, — said an eastern Oregon Ophthal- mologist to a little girl’s Mother. “Lions vision screening is life changing, so phenomenal!”, said a Clackamas, — Oregon school nurse. “The doctor told me that if this issue had not been identified before the 4 th or 5 th grade, the damage would have been permanent to my 5 year old daughter’s vision” — said a Beaverton, Oregon parent. Comments like these are taking place all across the USA due to Lions vision screening, and possibly nowhere are they being said more often than in Oregon: “We knew something had to be done for kids in Oregon. Too many schools had eliminated vision screenings from their budget, and Lions decided to do something about it”, said Lion Rod Bach, past Chair of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF). “We decided to create “Our ‘2020 Vision’ of all school children having their vision screened in Oregon.” “Our 2020 Vision” was the result of a strategic planning process completed in 2011 by OLSHF and the Lions of Multiple District 36. Recognizing that Oregon had one of the poorest ratios of student: school nurse in the nation, OLSHF raised over $715,000 to acquire 35 state of the art vision photo screeners, fuel efficient vehicles, and hired 12 Lions Club members from across the state to coordinate vision screening events in Oregon schools. From screening 25,000 students in 2011, OLSHF now partners with local Lions Clubs around the state to conduct over 600 school vision screening events in Oregon per year and this past year Lions of Oregon, continued to page 2 Update in Connecticut Law Concerning Vision Screenings On July 1, 2017, the law was signed by Connecticut Governor Malloy. With a great deal of support from the medical field, Connecticut al- tered the law concerning Vision Screenings in Schools. SB 1014, section 10 (a): “…kindergarten and grades one and three to five, inclusive, a vision screening, using a Snellen chart, or equivalent screening device, includ- ing, but not limited to, an automated vision screening device. This will allow the Connecticut Lions to perform updated vision screenings for children using an approved device. For these mandatory grades and partnership with the School Nurse will mean that Parental Consent may not be necessary. (not even an Opt Out.)
Transcript
Lions KidSight USA Foundation
Newsletter - August 2017 LKSUSAF
Our Internet Presence Website - www.lionskidsightusa.org Facebook - www.facebook.com/lksusaf Store - (coming soon)
LionsKidsightStore.org What’s at the website?
• The Need is Real
• Information for Parents
• Sample Forms
• Standards for Screening
• Screening Models
• Training Manual & Videos
• Success Videos
• - and more -
Lions KidSight USA Foundation Chairman’s Message
Hello Lions. I hope all of you are
enjoying a wonderful summer. Lions Clubs International has now officially entered into its second century of service. The celebration at the international convention in Chicago was wonderful and International President Naresh Aggarwal certainly inspired us all to reach even higher service goals through the “Power of WE” and living up to our motto “We Serve”.
As the summer winds down it is time for us to plan our Lions KidSight children’s vision screening activities. Now is the time to ensure our equipment is in full working order. You may want to reach out to the schools and agencies at which you screen to confirm timing and that all the details are in place so a smooth start up can take place. Be sure you have all your permission slips and other screening supplies you will need in stock and ready to go.
As the vision screening season gets ramped up for the 2017-18 Lions’ year I want to take a few minutes to emphasize one of the standard screening policies which I have noticed during my travels is sometimes not well understood or followed. The policy is that we should NOT screen adults.
The devices we use are designed for children's vision screening. They are outstanding in detecting the risk factors for eye conditions for which children are at risk. Our devices do not detect diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degenera-tion, or any of the many other diseases for which adults are at risk. At best, the devices MAY give an estimate of a possible prescription for glasses.
However, as we age our pupils get smaller and the ocular tissue the light must pass through to get a reading becomes less transparent. Therefore, the prescription reading is not as accurate as a comprehen-sive eye exam.
I realize that many will say they em-phasize that the screening they are doing is
Chairman Message, continued to page 2
Article from the Lions of Oregon
“Without the Lions vision screening and their technology, your daughter would have lost her vision in the afflicted eye”, — said an eastern Oregon Ophthal-mologist to a little girl’s Mother. “Lions vision screening is life changing, so phenomenal!”, said a Clackamas, — Oregon school nurse. “The doctor told me that if this issue had not been identified before the 4th or 5th grade, the damage would have been permanent to my 5 year old daughter’s vision” — said a Beaverton, Oregon parent.
Comments like these are taking place all across the USA due to Lions vision screening, and possibly nowhere are they being said more often than in Oregon: “We knew something had to be done for kids in Oregon. Too many schools had eliminated vision screenings from their budget, and Lions decided to do something about it”, said Lion Rod Bach, past Chair of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF). “We decided to create “Our ‘2020 Vision’ of all school children having their vision screened in Oregon.”
“Our 2020 Vision” was the result of a strategic planning process completed in 2011 by OLSHF and the Lions of Multiple District 36. Recognizing that Oregon had one of the poorest ratios of student: school nurse in the nation, OLSHF raised over $715,000 to acquire 35 state of the art vision photo screeners, fuel efficient vehicles, and hired 12 Lions Club members from across the state to coordinate vision screening events in Oregon schools.
From screening 25,000 students in 2011, OLSHF now partners with local Lions Clubs around the state to conduct over 600 school vision screening events in Oregon per year and this past year
Lions of Oregon, continued to page 2
Update in Connecticut Law Concerning Vision
Screenings
On July 1, 2017, the law was signed by Connecticut Governor Malloy. With a great deal of support from the medical field, Connecticut al-tered the law concerning Vision Screenings in Schools.
SB 1014, section 10 (a): “…kindergarten and grades one and three to five, inclusive, a vision screening, using a Snellen chart, or equivalent screening device, includ-ing, but not limited to, an automated vision screening device.
This will allow the Connecticut Lions to perform updated vision screenings for children using an approved device. For these mandatory grades and partnership with the School Nurse will mean that Parental Consent may not be necessary. (not even an Opt Out.)
not a complete eye exam. However, hu-man nature being what it is, no matter how you emphasize this, no matter how many disclaimers are signed, when you tell and adult they have “passed” the screening many, many of them will think they have passed an eye exam. This may cause them to avoid or delay routine eye care. There-fore, you may have placed them in a posi-tion of delaying the diagnosis of a serious eye problem for which treatment was not begun fast enough. This will actually harm the patient. So, please don’t screen adults.
The USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Portland OR is also fast ap-proaching. It is shaping up to be an out-standing event. Lions KidSight USA is presenting a seminar “KidSight: What's Happening Where You Are?” In this seminar we will provide updates to Lions KidSight USA Foundation, our new sup-plies store, our vision screening training/certification and our national database. We will also be looking for audience questions on problem solving as well as hearing some of your success stories.
Lions KidSight USA Foundation will also have an exhibit booth, so be sure to stop by and say “Hi”. We would love to see you and get caught up on what’s hap-pening in your area. Yours in Service,
Dr. Edward V. Cordes, PID Chairman LKSUSAF
screened over 176,000 students using the Welch Allyn SPOT vision photo screener. Utilizing this technology, OLSHF is screening more students than ever before AND they are doing so more accurately than ever.
“OLSHF screening results have added to the level of confidence and validity of the screening process, procedures and technology” said a school principal from Oregon’s Central Point Elementary School. Especially important to schools in Oregon is OLSHF’s ability to screen accurately and be in compliance with federal and state standards. “The Lions technology allows for fast, objective screening and also is HIPAA and FERPA compliant, meaning that students’ data is secure – which is critical.
OLSHF and Lions in Oregon focus their vision screening efforts on Grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Casey Eye Institute of Oregon Health Sciences University has as an emphasis to screen preschool children in Oregon, primarily through Head Start and public libraries throughout the state, leaving the older age group to the Lions. “Obviously, children’s eyes continue to develop as they age and we find many children that had no vision issues earlier are detected with vision health issues once they enter grade school” said OLSHF Executive Director Doug Thompson.
Which brings us back to “Our 2020 Vision”: “Our goal” Thompson says, “Is that one day, hopefully by 2020, all children in Oregon will have their vision screened in Oregon schools every year. We just need more resources.”
Enter Oregon Senate Bill 187. In 2013, the Oregon legislature, recognizing that vision affects learning and that treatment can dramatically improve student outcomes and positively affect high school graduation rates – where Oregon is ranked
Chairman Message, continued from page 1
Simple Screening Tip
Get their attention When working with small children, some are nervous, others are fidgety and others are distracted. Setting up the screening area is vital to make this work faster. When in a classroom, it would be ideal if the child is facing a dark wall with the ‘screener’ immediately in front of the wall. Look into the camera (screener), you can see the pupil size, and you can see the eyes moving.
Other Activities of Interest
Lions of Oregon, continued from page 1 48th nationally – passed House Bill 3000. HB 3000 envisioned a public-private partnership, with schools providing logistical support and the State of Oregon partnering with non-profit entities like OLSHF to provide necessary equipment, staff, training and resources such as funding.
“It was like standing at the edge of a cliff with the State of Oregon” said OLSHF Chair Art Abbott. “We both said 1-2-3… and the Lions jumped (by investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into school vision screening). “The state didn’t.”
This past January OLSHF was joined by the Oregon Optometrists Physicians Association (OOPA) and the Oregon Academy of Ophthalmologists (OAO) in introducing at the Oregon Legislature SB 187, which would provide public fund-ing for schools to afford to hire organiza-tions like OLSHF to provide objective vision screenings for students.
“SB 187 would allow Oregon schools to access funds for vision screen-ing, and in Oregon those funds would be used effectively and efficiently” said Thompson. “Without public funding, we can’t screen all 400,000 Oregon students in Grades K through 8.”
The good news is that SB 187 was moved out of every committee that it had a hearing with unanimous “Do Pass” recom-mendations. In early July, the Bill was approved by both the Oregon Senate and the House of Representatives – again unanimously – and at press time awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.
“We’re very proud that in Oregon, Lions have played a role in advocating for the vision health of our children” said Ab-bott. “The public funding will have an important short-term use, but in the long run the return on investment will come in the form of higher graduation rates and more students being successful”.
Sounds like a vision that all Oregon Lions can look forward to.
• Small pupils can be a sign of nervousness. Just ask the child to ‘Wiggle your toes’. This simply makes the child think about something else for a moment, and you may see the pupils get larger.
• Movement can be caused by feet moving. Have the right size chair, so the child’s feet touch the floor.
• Get to know the 1 meter distance, so you can attain the screening distance faster.
The Lions KidSight Foundation Board is developing an on-line Catalog Store, so Clubs, Districts and Multiple Districts can order standardized memorabilia, including Banner Patches, Vest Patches, Re-ward Stickers, Embroidered Shirts. Watch for updates at our Website - www.lionskidsightusa.org
Editor’s Note: These are the kinds of letters that begin to pour into Lions Clubs and Districts that help to motivate Lions Club members in this work. Hands on Lions should learn of these messages.
The Lions KidSight USA provides a webpage that is dedicated to provide training to our volunteers. There are manuals and links to video presentations that cover.
♦ Why children’s vision screening is important?
♦ Basic medical terms associated with screening results: Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, Anisometropia, Strabis-mus, Anisocoria, Ptosis and Cataract.
♦ Know the Amblyopia risk factors
♦ Understanding privacy: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – HIPAA.
♦ Use of parental permission forms
♦ State and local requirements: Background checks and possibly, a TB skin test
♦ Proper environment for accurate screening
♦ Knowledgeable about the instrument operation
♦ Properly answer questions
♦ Have in place a system to follow up
♦ Set up a network of doctors
♦ Maintain accurate data
♦ National Data Management
♦ Public Relations
Visit www.lionskidsightusa.org/training
Training Videos of the PlusoptiX S12 at YouTube. Video 1 - Getting acquainted with the plusoptiX S12 Vision Screener (plusoptiX S12) This training video teaches you how to get acquainted with your plusoptiX S12 - Vision Screener. (4 minutes 58 seconds)
https://youtu.be/kPnVqVmRbq4
Video 2 - Selecting and Customizing Device Settings This training video teaches you how to select and customize the device settings of your plusoptiX S12 - Vision Screener. (5 minutes 3 seconds)
https://youtu.be/9jdivxhrl80
Video 3 - Preparing the measurement environment This training video teaches you how to prepare the measurement envi-ronment before measuring with your plusoptiX S12 - Vision Screener. (1 minute 20 seconds)
https://youtu.be/9LsHL5PghrA
Video 4 - How to perform a good Vision Screening This training video teaches you how to perform a good vision screening with your plusoptiX S12 - Vision Screener. (4 minutes 13 seconds)
https://youtu.be/kTj70oaMjPQ
Video 5 - Checking and documenting measurement results This training video teaches you how to check and document the measure-ment results of your plusoptiX S12 - Vision Screener. (6 minutes 36 seconds)
https://youtu.be/OexPF4sdU_k
From our Facebook Page
Children’s vision problems often go undetected, then get worse Imagine seeing blurry images all the time. Now, imagine learning to read that way.
Submit Articles in November for the December Edition
Contact PDG Dan Uitti
Dan Uitti 223 Buckingham St Oakville, CT 06779 Email: [email protected]
Board Members
Dr. Edward V. Cordes, PID Chair Dr. Hauser Weiler, PID Vice Chair Dan Uitti, PDG Secretary Ed Farrington, PID Treasurer Tom Cummings, PCC KidSight Store Al Brandel, PIP Chancellor Bob Corlew, IPIP Judge Haynes Townsend , 3IVP Advisors: Peter Lynch, Global Strategy Rebecca Daou, Exec Admin LCIF David Kingsbury, LCI Legal Steve Lomonaco - Welch Allyn Tammy Johnson - PlusoptiX
Training Videos of the Welch Allyn Spot at YouTube.
The Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener (overview) The Spot Vision Screener is a handheld, portable device designed to help users quickly and easily detect vision issues on patients from 6 months of age through adult. Spot screens both eyes at once from a nonthreatening 3-foot distance. The touch-screen display allows for one-touch activation, simple management of patient data entry, and easy configuration for both vision screening and auto refraction applications. (9 minutes 52 seconds) https://youtu.be/m2TfRnfNfWE
Spot Vision Screener How To: Connect Your Device to a Wireless Direct Printer A step-by-step guide to connecting your VS100 Vision Screener to the Wireless Direct Printing option. There are 3 options to connect your device to a printer: - Connect via a USB cable directly to a printer - Connect to a wireless network that has network printers - Connect to a printer that creates it's own wireless network, also known as Wireless Direct Printing (video topic of focus) (13 minutes 23 seconds) https://youtu.be/BuCPPRgNZ0I
Spot Vision Screener How To: Create and Import a Patient List A step-by-step guide to creating and importing a patient list to your VS100 Vision Screener: Instead of entering patient information manually into the device before you screen each new patient, you also have the option to import a list of patients before you start a screening session. This allows you to easily select the information you need, efficiently screen large groups, and gives you more time to focus more on your patients. (5 minutes 56 seconds) https://youtu.be/y6P9iPTVZac
Spot Vision Screener How To: Import a Banner for Your Reports A step-by-step guide to adding a custom banner on the VS100 Vision Screener screening reports: Instead of having the standard banner on your printed or stored reports, you have the option to import a custom banner to make your reports more branded and personalized. (5 minutes 19 seconds) https://youtu.be/MUe2c5jkAwM
