Three members of the Gerringong Lions Club have undergone initial training to take part in Lions National Children’s Visual Screening Program, considered one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.

Free Vision Screening is provided to children from three years old, in childcare centres, schools, sporting clubs or community groups.

It is a screening service only. If there is any concern about a child’s vision, a full eye examination by a local optometrist may be recommended.

Since the program started in 2018, there have been 56,132 children who have been screened, with 11,556 referrals to optometrists recommended.

As part of their training, the Gerringong Lions went to the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club and asked for volunteers to come forward to be screened.

Eleven parents consented for their “nippers” to be screened. Three of the 11 were found to have sight issues with a recommendation to follow up with an optometrist.

A state-of-the-art piece of equipment, The Spot Vision Screener can be used to identify, myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness), astigmatism (blurred vision), anisometropia (unequal refractive power), binocular vision (eye misalignment) and aniscoria (unequal pupil size).

Visual acuity is tested to determine how sharp vision is at longer distances.

Colour perception is also part of the screening regime and stereo depth perception, to assess binocular function of eyes at near tasks, rounds out the battery of screening tests.

Once their training is complete, the Gerringong Lions are hoping to offer the program to local pre-schools, schools and sporting groups.