Lions Keep An Eye On Baby Health

(Article printed in 'Daily Examiner' Saturday August 8, 2009)

"LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Clarence Valley Lions Clubs joined forces to raise funds for an Indirect Ophthalmoscope for Grafton Base Hospital.  The instrument will be used to check the eyesight of premature babies, alleviating the need for parents to take their babies to Coffs Harbour for testing.

Project organiser Deyann McDonnell said the instrument cost about $5,000, with half raised from community fundraising and the balance donated by the Lions Clubs NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation.

In its letter of appreciation, the North Coast Area Health Service expressed "great pleasure and gratitude for the HEINE UNPLUGGED BINOCULAR OPHTHALMOSCOPE, VIEW 20D AND 30D LENSES AND ACCESSORIES which is now in use in the Maternity Unit at the Grafton Base Hospital".  The letter went on to acknowledge the support of the foundation and the lions clubs of Maclean, Yamba, Wooli, Grafton and Big River,

The neo-natal ophthalmoscope will be beneficial for the premature babies at Grafton base hospital.  It reduces the need to transport premature babies out of hospital to have their eyes tested and will also allow premature babies born elsewhere to be returned to Grafton sooner as they can now have their eyes tested there.