Once a month, generally the third Wednesday of each month, volunteers from Lions clubs all over East Tennessee gather at the Fountain City Lions Club to test the vision of folks who cannot afford eye exams and glasses. Two of the Union County Lions, Debbie Sylvia-Gardner and Shirlee Grabko, participate every month in various duties. The 20 volunteers for the Smoky Mountain Lions Charities Mobile Vision Lab held in Fountain City on Wednesday September 18 came from Lions Clubs in Dandridge, Fountain City, Halls, Karns, Kingston, Knox North, Knoxville East, Norris, Sevier County, Union County, and West Knoxville. Additionally, volunteer translators are there for any client who needs help with English.
When arriving for their appointment, patients of all ages are guided through the process by way of numbered stations. Station 1, for instance, is Patient Registration, Station 2 is General Health Screening, which includes a blood pressure check and getting the patient’s current medications. (Clients should be sure to bring a list of their medication with them to their vision appointment). From there, folks work their way around to the various “stations,” checking out at Station 9.
Some patients arrive to their appointment with a written prescription for glasses and they do not need another exam, only the eyeglasses. In September, the Smoky Mountain Lions Charities Mobile Vision Lab provided 56 eye exams and prescriptions and made a total of 76 pairs of glasses. There is no charge to the patient for the exam or glasses.
During this process, they have their visual acuity checked, auto refraction examined, and are evaluated for glaucoma. When the examination is complete, there is a visit with the volunteer ophthalmologist or optometrist and a prescription is written. Each person may choose a frame from the many styles and colors available. If the lenses needed are in stock and can be ground to their prescription with the available equipment, the client will walk out that day with glasses in hand. But in some cases, the lenses must be made offsite and a return trip a few weeks later will be necessary pick up the completed glasses.
The Union County Lions Club is presently formulating a plan to bring the Smoky Mountain Lions Charities Mobile Vision Lab to Maynardville in 2025.
For an application for an appointment in Fountain City, contact Union County Lions Club, c/o Ronnie Mincey, P.O. Box 323, Maynardville TN 37807.