Community Vision Programs

Healthy Vision Screening Free vision screenings to adults throughout MO to help identify early signs of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration

Purpose of Healthy Vision Screening program is to: Aid in early detection of vision conditions that affect

older adult populations in Missouri Assist in educating the general public about ocular

health Encourage Missourians of all ages to make regular

visits to an eye care professional as a preventative eye health measure

What is Glaucoma? Caused by increase of pressure within the eye

Results in gradual loss of peripheral vision that cannot be regained

According to the National Eye Institute, risk factors for glaucoma include: Age: people 60+ People with family history of glaucoma African Americans aged 40+ Hispanics over 60 People with diabetes or high blood

pressure Eye injury

Screening for Glaucoma

A trained technician uses a non-contact tonometer to emit a puff of air at the eye, measuring eye pressure.

Screening results of 22 or higher are considered to be elevated pressure.

People showing borderline or elevated pressure from a screening are encouraged to visit an eye care professional for a full exam.

What is AMD?Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Damage to the macula, or small spot near the center of the retina that causes loss of sharp vision

According to the National Eye Institute, "the disease is most likely to occur after age 60, but it can occur earlier.“

Risk factors: Age: people 60+ Caucasians Family history Smoking (doubles risk)

Screening for AMD A simple screening technique called the Amsler Test is offered by Saving Sight along with glaucoma screenings

Individual is instructed to look at a grid, cover one eye and focus on the central spot with the other eye. If the surrounding pattern is wavy or has broken and distorted lines it could be an early sign of AMD.

People who see wavy or distorted lines are encouraged to see an eye doctor for full examination.

Requesting a Healthy Vision Screening Consider the audience and event attendees: Are they generally age 60+? Is this a group that might not normally

visit an eye care professional?

Contact your local vision screening technician to set up the screening--generally at least one month in advance

Consider opportunities to provide KidSight screenings and Healthy Vision screenings together at large community events with diverse crowds

Eyeglass Recycling Each year Saving Sight receives thousands of eyeglasses from Lions Clubs and from others in our communities

Those eyeglasses are sorted into like groups and then matched up with needs of groups that are going overseas on humanitarian missions

People in developing countries with untreated vision problems gain life-changing access to prescription glasses.

Eyeglass Recycling FAQs Can recycled eyeglasses be given out in the US to indigent patients?

Generally, no. Eyeglasses, even recycled ones, are given under prescription.

Do you have a need for eyeglass cases? Generally, no. Eyeglass mission groups are typically not delivering recycled cases

with the glasses.

Do you have a need for loose lenses and frames without lenses? Again, the need for loose lenses is not great among mission groups; therefore we

ask that you discard them. However, we are occasionally able to use frames without lenses, so please include them.

What do you do with metal eyeglasses? Often, mission groups prefer to take plastic frames rather than metal, as they are

lighter and easier to ship. Saving Sight works with an agency to melt down metal frames and profit is reinvested into the eyeglass recycling program.

Procedures for Recycling Remove all eyeglasses from their cases and discard cases

Discard isolated glass or plastic lenses (in other words, lenses without frames) Sort glasses into 4 classes:

Unbroken children’s glasses Unbroken readers Unbroken sunglasses All other glasses and frames, both broken and

unbroken including metal

Divide glasses into separate boxes or in separate bags within one box.

Glasses can be dropped off at our branch locations

Distributing Eyeglasses AbroadHumanitarian organizations distribute the glasses on mission trips abroad. Lions and other contacts can refer these groups to Saving Sight to get glasses.Call 800-753-2265 to request glasses for a trip.

Questions?