Mauna Kea Lions offer child vision screening

Among their many annual community service projects, the members of the Mauna Kea Lions Club offer preschool vision screening.

Program coordinators note that preschoolers depend on their vision to learn and prepare for elementary school and that, according to the American Public Health Association, about 10 percent of preschoolers have eye or vision problems.

They advise that parents watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:

— Red eyes or eyelids;

— Sitting close to the television or holding a book too close;

— Frequently rubbing of their eyes;

— Squinting;

— Tilting or turning of their head;

— Short attention span;

— Turning of an eye in or out;

— Eyes in constant motion;

— Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding, and

— Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities.

“Vision screenings do not take the place of a complete eye examination, but they can indicate that your child may need further evaluation by an eye care professional,” said spokeswoman Kellie Yagi.