Vision screening at Carroll Elementary Flora Lions Club provided vision screening for Carroll students on Feb. 24.

The screening was conducted by local club members with the assistance of two teachers, five high school students, and two school nurses.

The night before going to the schools, all screeners attended a two-hour training session, where they were taught how to use the equipment and any other information necessary to conduct the testing.

Students in grades one, three, five, and eight were screened, with additional students upon request. A total of 375 students were screened.

Typically, 30% of all students have vision problems. The special equipment used made it possible to test for a wider range of visual problems. Stereopsis, amblyopia, strabismus, near and far sightedness were screened. The $60,000 equipment was loaned to the Flora club by Lions District 25F, Oaklandon, Ind. Two representatives from that district brought the equipment, conducted the training, and stayed and helped during the screening.

School nurses Jennifer Welbaum and Rebecca Comoglio were present for the screening, received all information after testing, and will recommend referrals. Students will receive assistance for glasses from Lions, if there is a financial need.

Susan Shively and Don Shively, who are both Lions and Carroll teachers, were in charge of the project. The school nurses handled paperwork and scheduling and will be contacting parents if their child needs to see a doctor.

Students involved were Dan Budreau, Jeremy Hayes, Heidi Thomas, Mayara Muller, and Alix Parrett.

“The students made the testing go smoothly,” Susan Shively said. “There were many compliments on their manners, knowledge, and professional manner.”

Besides the Shivelys, other Lions participating were Eric Johnson, Woody Slade, Norm Beck, Mary Jo Redmon, and Joe Redmon.

The Shivelys said this was the Lions’ first time to conduct the screening, and because of its success, they plan to make it an annual project.