So when Devin was diagnosed with amblyopia, or "lazy eye," after a free Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation screening at her daycare center in Columbia, Mo., her parents were shocked. "I had heard of lazy eye, but didn't really know what it was," said her mother, Megan. "I didn't realize it would have an effect on her vision or eye development."
When Megan received a referral postcard from the Foundation, she immediately took Devin to the eye doctor where the child was diagnosed with amblyopia, farsightedness and astigmatism. After her diagnosis, Devin wore an eye patch up to two to three hours a day, seven days a week to strengthen her eyesight. Today, she patches only three days a week, and already her vision is 20/20 when she wears her eyeglasses.
Now, this preschooler stays busy with her favorite activities - coloring and drawing. Ever her mother has noticed a change. "Devin never seemed like she had trouble seeing things. I think she just compensated really well. Now she tells me she can see better, and it's easier for her to find things."
Megan believes the screening has helped her daughter tremendously. "I think it's great. I'm so glad that your program found our program. And I continue to recommend the screening to other parents. It's really, really important."
Thanks to the Foundation's trained technicians and helpful Lions volunteers, we can continue to reach more preschoolers like Devin throughout Missouri and grant better sight to children at a critical time in their lives.
