The Lions Club International Foundation has for many years been active worldwide in activities to prevent and mitigate problems of Blindness. In January 2000 it launched a new International Campaign, designated Lions Eye Health Programme. This is a Community Education Programme, designed to help reduce the loss of vision caused by diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma, the two leading causes of preventable blindness in the United Kingdom. Much of this blindness could be prevented by early detection and timely treatment. In keeping with it’s long standing commitment to eradicate preventable and reversible blindness, Lions Clubs, in collaboration with the British Diabetic Association and the International Glaucoma Association, are supporting the Lions Eye Health Programme, a major new education initiative to help reduce the incidence of Diabetic Eye Disease, and Glaucoma.

LEHP is funded by a Sight First grant from the Lions Club International Foundation. Launched in the South East of England in October 1997, LEHP focus on reaching those at risk of these diseases with information on the importance of early detection and timely treatment. Through LEHP, Lions Clubs are working in their Communities to inform people at greatest risk of these diseases, anyone over the age of 40, people with a family history of glaucoma, people of African-Caribbean origin over the age of 30, and people with diabetes, about the importance of regular and comprehensive eye examinations which in the case of glaucoma, must include all three glaucoma tests, (ophthalmosocopy, tonometry and perimetry) in the case of diabetes, include ophthalmoscopy, through dilated pupils.

Lions Clubs throughout the Country, attend Presentations, and distribute educational leaflets on both Glaucoma and Diabetes to create an awareness of the need for regular eye tests to be done. It is well known that within the community, nationwide, there are 1,500,000. persons going about their lives unaware of any eye problems associated with diabetes and likewise 2,000,000. unaware of problems associated with glaucoma.

We hope that today you will pick up one of our leaflets and read it through. You may feel it is not necessary at this time to take any action, but please put the leaflet safely away on your dresser at home so that you may refer to it from time to time. On the other hand, if you know of any connection of Diabetes or Glaucoma within your family, please make a regular check with your Optician.

John E. Pike Sight Conservation Chairman, Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Club.