It happens between one day and the next. You grab a bag or can off the shelf at the grocery store and turn it over to read the ingredients… but you can’t. That’s crazy, you could read it just yesterday. You try another package, holding it closer and then farther away, but the print is still too fuzzy or too small. Uh oh.
Time for a pair of readers.
You’ve just crossed over into territory inhabited by 75% of your fellow Americans – the vision impaired – a group comprised of roughly 197 million people, including wearers of contact lenses and reading glasses.
In the US, about 166.5 million of those people need to wear prescription glasses. Estimates suggest globally about 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment that requires correction in order for them to adequately function in society.
And not everyone who needs corrected vision can afford it. That’s why one of the ongoing missions of the International Lions Clubs since 1925 is to help prevent avoidable blindness with early intervention and necessary eye care through vision screening and referral services, eye banks, eyeglass recycling; and grants for special projects and community programs funded by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).
Eighty percent of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured, and Lions around the world partner every day with medical professionals and community leaders to provide screening, research, and funding for sight-saving procedures.
What we can do
Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living here and in low- and middle-income countries lack access to basic eye care services. Where we can support this important work is to answer the Lions’urgent need for corrective lenses and usable glasses by collecting and donating those unused prescription glasses or readers that have accumulated over time.
It is not necessary to provide prescription details since each donated pair are inspected and easily read by equipment that records the correct strength. Glasses will then be distributed to Lions programs locally or anywhere around the world. Imagine, someone may finally be able to take a job because of your old pair of glasses. It’s that important.
Drop those old eyeglasses and lenses off at Eureka Eyecare Clinic at 3029 E. VanBuren (Hwy. 62), or Berryville Eyecare Clinic at 404 W. College, or Equity Bank in Berryville.
Lions Clubs also sponsor programs to provide schoolbooks for children, feed the hungry, provide transportation for seniors and raise money for disaster relief. The Berryville Lions Club meets monthly to discuss opportunities to give back and make decisions based on what the community needs.
In Berryville, a Flag Program proudly places an America flag in front of your business or on the public square on every patriotic holiday for an entire year to honor someone you choose. The cost is $50 annually, and every dollar goes back into the community, supporting local vision assistance, the Lions blind school in Little Rock, Mid-South Lions eye care, local scholarships, and more.
This program is the Lions Club’s major fundraiser, and community support makes a real difference. Recently three residents were provided eye exams and glasses through funds raised through the program, and vision testing equipment was obtained.
The Berryville Lions Club would also enjoy bringing free vision screenings to area schools, non-profits or religious organizations! For more information on the Flag Program and Free Screening, or to join this outstanding public service organization, visit Berryville Lions Club on Facebook and leave a message or phone Tyler Squires (870) 480-9344.