The February 2026 issue of “Golden Gazette” (a Fairfax County publication aimed at older adults) had the article: “What you need to know about low vision” (read it at this link Low Vision Article).

Fairfax Lion, Dr Suleiman Alibhai, is a low vision specialist and is Clinical Director and leader of the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) Vision Rehabilitation Clinic. Lion Suleiman was featured in a 30 minute video talking about low vision (see it Video Link). (For brief information about the low vision clinic in Alexandria, run by Lion Suleiman; see this link.)

Low vision often can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, medicine, or surgery…you may find the information at the above links useful. You should be aware of resources in our community through the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired’s program for independent living for the older individual with vision loss; see: https://www.dbvi.virginia.gov/ independent_living.

Low vision refers to that which cannot be improved by glasses or contact lenses only.  The most common cause is an aging condition of the eyes called age-related macular degeneration. However, young adults and children can be diagnosed as having low vision from congenital eye diseases. Others may develop low vision from complications of diabetes, or the effects of glaucoma.

 To learn about a new club service project – assisting patients to tele-conference with a Low Vision Center – Fairfax Lions visited the Center in Alexandria which provides rehabilitation services to individuals who are visually impaired; it offers a variety of tools and techniques. 

Lions Joe Rovansek, Diana Amsbaugh, Bill Szymanski, Tom Simpson, and Mike Greeley represented our Club conducting vision & hearing screening at Saint Luke School in McLean, VA. 

Afterwards, we received this email from the school nurse: Good afternoon, We had a fantastic group of Lions Club volunteers at Saint Luke Catholic School for hearing and vision screenings. In total, 37 students were screened for both hearing and vision (24 3rd graders and 13 7th graders). Of those, 1 student was referred for vision in 3rd grade and 1 student was referred for vision in 7th grade. Everybody who was screened for hearing passed the test! Thank you so much for helping me coordinate all of this, and I hope to meet you in person next year! Blessings, (School Nurse)

Photos below: Lions screening team and school nurse; Lion Diana operating hearing screening console

Fairfax Lions appreciate the opportunity to check vision & hearing of youngsters in local schools, using our state-of-the-art equipment. The greatest need is in the Catholic Schools, where nursing staff do not have resources to monitor the student’s vision and hearing. In many cases Lions have recommended referrals to vision or hearing medical professionals, and in some cases treatment was “life changing” for the student.

On Oct 22, Lions screened vision of very young children at Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool (Vienna).  Results: 1 child (Age 2), 2 children (Age 3), and 1 (age 4) were referred for follow-up by a professional.

On Oct 28, Fairfax Lions conducted both vision & hearing Screening at Saint Leo the Great Catholic School (in Fairfax).  We checked vision of 66 children, referring 7, and hearing of 51 children, referring another 7.  

On March 25th, Fairfax Lions conducted both vision and hearing screening of students at St Marks Catholic School in Vienna. We tested vision of 80 students, and hearing of 76 students (grades K/1/3/5/8).  Four students were referred for vision followup with an optometrist, and 10 for hearing followup with an audiologist.  (All children screened had parental approval for the screening.)

Fairfax Lions screened the vision and hearing of 126 students (K, 3rd, 7th graders) at St Timothy School (Chantilly, VA) on November 14, 2024. We referred 6 students for follow-up care. This quick and effective screening process identifies youngsters who may have limited vision/hearing capability.

Information about the SPOT Screening System at: https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/spot-vision-screener/