The Eyeball Express has returned to Tucson for the Summer of 2010. The Eyeball Express is a Lions of the West Phoenix area (specifically the Lions of Sun City) to transport donated eyes from the Sun City area to the University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology in Tucson. These eyes are used for the very important research at the University.

CC John Hart completes Eyeball Express run

This activity is operated throughout the remaining part of the year by the Lions of Sun City. During the summer, so many of these Lions depart for cooler climates, that the assistance of Tucson area Lions is needed. The demand this summer is so great that five requests for transportation were received the first week. Only six requests were received for the whole summer season last year.

Kudos to those Lions that have signed up for this summer. Anyone who is interested in participating can contact either Sandy Shiff of the Tucson Breakfast Club at 520-790-3221 or CC John Hart of the Tucson Downtown Club at 520-574-0614.

21B Lions Conduct Mammoth Elementary School Eye Screening

San Pedro Valley and Tucson Downtown Lions teamed up to screen the vision of 224 students at Mammoth Elementary School and in the preschool Head Start program. With the school facing possible closure due to budget cuts, San Pedro Valley Lions made arrangements with the school to handle the screenings quickly so that local students could be cared for locally.

San Pedro Valley and Tucson Downtown Lions

"Once our children are mixed in with another school, it may be harder to guarantee their vision screening and follow up service," San Pedro Valley Lions President Billy Romero noted.

To make the screenings possible, certified vision screeners and volunteers from Tucson Downtown Lions traveled to Mammoth for the morning of screenings. They brought with them district owned vision screening machines suitable for quick screening of older children.

"For the young ones, eye charts are still the best initial screening option - and for the pre-schoolers, we use charts showing shapes rather than letters," project coordinator Su-Lin Trepanitis of Tucson Downtown explains.

About 25% of the children screened showed a need for follow-up vision testing by a professional. Because of the unusually high number of referrals, San Pedro Valley Lions made the commitment to obtain follow-up testing for those referred students using the Lions Vision Center mobile unit.

To set up a vision screening using trained Lions screeners and 21B vision screening equipment, contact Su-Lin Trepanitis, 520-661-4909.

Green Valley La Canoa Lions Sponsor Low Vision Seminar

On Friday, March 19, approximately 50 Green Valley citizens and Lions met for a three hour seminar entitled, “Life as a VIP (Visually Impaired Person”. The program was planned and moderated by semi-retired Low Vision Specialist, Lion Sondra Williams. Participants in the program were Dr. Brent Hartzel , OD of Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, Club President Lion Amy Edwards, Lion Darlene Green, Lion Angie Lanoe, Lion Sondra and the audience. Along with statistics, facts, medical and vision research information, encouragement and recommendations, there was a discussion and display of various styles and powers of magnifying devices and non-optical aids, with a hands-on opportunity during the break. The event appeared a success! This was the second annual La Canoa Lions Low Vision Seminar.