Press Release

Hundreds of individuals in the Kansas City region are at risk of losing their eyesight and yet many are unaware of it. The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation provides free vision screenings for the early detection of eye diseases, helping to decrease the chance of blindness throughout the state of Missouri.

It’s a gradual and painless disease that slowly steals the sight of its victim, which once lost, can never be regained. Each year, more than 46,000 Missourians suffer from glaucoma, the second leading cause of adult blindness, but only half know they are afflicted simply because they do not have access to or the resources for regular eye exams.

You’re already shopping for the holiday so why not help the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation at the same time?

With the football season in full swing, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation wants to spotlight one game that makes a huge difference for thousands of individuals throughout the state.

On January 2, the lives of two incredible women close to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation and Heartland Lions Eye Banks family will be honored during the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Diabetes does more than affect one’s blood sugar – it can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, and for 40-45% of patients according to the National Eye Institute (NEI), diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in adults.

Every year, Lions clubs across Missouri graciously host fundraisers to help benefit the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. From pancake breakfasts and food stands to basketball tournaments and car shows, these incredible volunteers give up their time to restore vision to those in need.

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation is proud to partner with mission groups that provide medical and support services to those in need in Third World countries.

Because of the volunteerism of the Missouri Lions, more than 60,000 donated eyeglasses are collected and delivered to our Columbia, Mo. headquarters each year. From there, we organize and distribute recycled glasses to a variety of nonprofit organizations, churches and medical mission groups.

The numbers are in! Thanks to the support of generous financial donors like you, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation and Heartland Lions Eye Banks helped more people than ever before this past fiscal year!

We screened 38,475 preschoolers through our Children’s Vision Screening program, screened 8,385 seniors for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, and provided eye care assistance to 146 individuals.

Hundreds of Missourians suffer from vision problems simply because they can't afford the costs of treatment or surgery. And in some cases, even a basic eye exam is out of reach for these individuals.