Brighter Visions
Every year the Southport Lions Board of Directors budgets a fixed amount of funds to be used for assisting those in need in our Community who have vision problems. Those in need include: seniors undergoing much-needed cataract surgery and individuals suffering from the effects of diabetes. The Brighter Visions program involves the support of local optometrists and opticians, willing to reduce their normal rates to provide assistance — along with the statewide North Carolina Lions Foundation. Here’s how the process operates:
- Click on the “Apply” button below to be directed to the Vision Assistance Eligibility Form.
- Once completed, your form submission will then be thoroughly evaluated by members of our Vision Assistance Committee — considering your need for help and the availability of funds. During this process you may be contacted for more information by one of our committee members.
- Once a decision has been made by the committee, you will be notified. If your request is denied, you will be given a reason.
- Approved applicants will be sent to one of our participating optometrists for an eye examination. Any prescriptions written for vision correction must be taken to one of our participating opticians. If you choose to fill the script with another optician, assistance from the Southport Lions Club to obtain your glasses may not be available.
Recycle For Sight
Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses — yet millions living in low and middle income countries lack access to basic eye care services. Southport Lions Club recognizes the urgent need for corrective lenses and collecting usable glasses throughout our community. To support the program, we have set up multiple drop-off locations throughout the area.
The eyeglasses we collect are sent to an official Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC) for processing. There, the glasses are sorted to determine those that are usable or unusable, processed, and placed in inventory for distribution to optical missions around the world.
Lions help to minimize landfill waste by supporting precious metal reclamation and scrap processing for damaged glasses that are unusable.
Eyeglasses Recycling Drop-off Locations
Sight-First Screenings
The SightFirst program enables Lions and local health care providers to fight the major causes of preventable and reversible blindness. We strive to increase awareness of the importance of eye health by providing free, accessible visual screenings — using the most up-to-date technologies, devices, and procedures. One landmark tool of this program — the Spot Vision Screener — incorporates a handheld, portable, ocular screening device designed to help quickly and easily detect vision issues on patients as young as six months. We strive to make free vision screenings available year-round in locations throughout the community. From festivals and events downtown, to schools and medical clinics throughout the county. Children and adults will have the opportunity to have their eyes checked to see the level of vision they are able to achieve. This of course, does not constitute a full eye exam, but it is a wonderful tool in recognizing individuals who may be in need of further attention. The program is having a significant impact on eliminating and controlling the leading causes of preventable blindness.