OAK BROOK, Ill.—To protect the vision of children throughout the U.S., Lions Club International launched the Lions KidSight USA initiative this month. KidSight USA will work with Lions around the country to help ensure that children between six months and six years of age receive vision screening and professional follow-up care when needed, according to an announcement by Lions Clubs International president Joe Preston on Oct. 8, 2014.

“KidSight USA is an important national initiative that will help families protect the eye health of their children,” he said. “It builds on our proud history of saving sight and our belief that all children deserve to see the world clearly. With the help of Lions, we hope they will.”

Currently screening more than 500,000 kids per year through state and local programs often known as “KidSight,” Lions in the U.S. have now launched KidSight USA, a coordinated national effort that can help more children by bringing together established Lions vision-screening programs and supporting the development of new programs. Lions Clubs International expects the program to be fully operational by early 2015.

“Vision affects a child’s ability to see the world, but it also impacts a child’s ability to learn,” said Edward Cordes, OD, chairperson of Lions KidSight USA. “Experts say that up to 80 percent of learning is visual, so we need to screen all children to identify any vision issues that can get in the way of learning. And we need to screen children early to identify vision problems while they can still be corrected.”

KidSight USA is supported by the Lions Clubs International Foundation, which offers matching grants to Lions involved in vision screening. The foundation has awarded $2.2 million in grants since 2000 to support children’s vision-screening programs in the U.S. Two manufacturers of vision screening devices, Plusoptix and Welch Allyn, Inc., have also partnered with KidSight USA to provide financial support for the development of the program.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Its 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs serve communities in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the globe. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects.