According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, by the time adults turn 65, one out of every three has an eye condition that impairs their eyesight. Age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are the main conditions that impair vision in the elderly. If left untreated, these diseases can lead to blindness.
Eye doctors, ophthalmologists and optometrists, volunteering their time and skills at California Lions Friends in Sight vision screenings, detect these potentially vision threatening disorders. They conduct testing, document results for the patient, and counsel them and their family on the necessity of seeing the appropriate eyecare provider. When it will help temporarily, these patients are given free recycled eyeglasses.
Our thanks go out to the doctors and to the Lions for their dedication organizing these vision screening services. Lions fundraising, advocacy, coordination of outreach and publicity for the events make all the difference in helping people age with healthy vision.