TOWNSHIP PARTNERING WITH LIONS CLUB IN PROGRAM TO COMBAT RETINAL DISEASES, INCLUDING

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in adults in America today.  Diabetic Retinopathy can have devastating visual consequences and can lead to blindness.  Without a doubt, early detection greatly enhances the visual prognosis and outcome for all patients with Diabetic Retinopathy and other retinal diseases, including Macular Degeneration.  Through this program, we will provide our community with a method for early detection of retinal diseases, including Macular Degeneration.

 A partnership among the Lions of Illinois Foundation, Illinois Retina Associates, S.C., the Palatine Lions Club and Palatine Township is providing an entirely FREE screening to anyone who would like to have a picture taken of their eyes to check for this potential problem.  The screening, which takes just a few minutes, will be available for persons 18 years of age and older (10-17 years, with a written parental consent) on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Palatine Township Center, 721 S. Quentin Road
Suite 101, Palatine.  No appointment is necessary.

The Foundation will take photographs of the eye and forward them to Illinois Retina Associates, P.C., where they will be reviewed by one of their retinal specialists.  The person who has had the screening test performed will be notified by mail with a copy of the results.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should contact your eye care professional as quickly as possible:  blurred vision, distorted vision, double vision, darkened or reduced vision.  Any of these symptoms can be an indication of Diabetic Retinopathy or one of its complications.