June 2022

JUNE InSight

June is Cataract Awareness Month

Cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness, accounting for 42% of all cases of blindness around the world. In the United States, more than 25 million Americans are estimated to have cataracts. As the population in America continues to age, the number of cataract cases are projected to increase by 50 percent, to 38.5 million by 2032.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. The lens of the eye is located behind the pupil and the colored iris, and is normally transparent. Vision may become blurry or dim because the cataract stops light from properly passing through to the retina. Generally, a cataract does not cause pain, redness or tears.

Risk factors for cataracts include:

• Older age
• Intense heat or long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes
• Inflammation in the eye
• Hereditary influences
• Events before birth, such as German measles in the mother
• Long-term steroid use
• Eye injuries
• Eye diseases
• Smoking

We strongly encourage everyone to educate themselves on cataracts and what services are available for prevention and treatment.

HELP US MEET THE CHALLENGE!

Thank You Bonita Springs Lions Club



The Bonita Springs Lions Charities reached a significant milestone in its history of charitable contributions to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic (FLLEC). In June 2022, with a grant contribution of $6000, their total of contributions to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic has surpassed $400,000. The Bonita Springs Lions Charities has been a supporter of the clinic since its founding in 2008. Their contributions to the clinic provide support for the clinic’s facilities, the operational budget, and for surgeries performed outside of the clinic. The services performed at the clinic location include comprehensive eye exams, diagnostic tests, surgery and treatment.

The partnership with the Bonita Springs Lions Club is instrumental to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic in providing eye care to the underserved population in Florida. “We are so grateful for all the support we have received through the years of our partnership with the Bonita Springs Lions Club,” said Robin Goldstone Garcia, Executive Director at FLEC. "The Bonita Spring Lions Club Board of Directors and the members have been, and continue to be, very supportive with both their donations and their time. It’s a pleasure sharing the campus location and we are grateful for the partnership we have with each of the members.”

UBS MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN FIGHTING VISION LOSS

UBS Financial Services, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, recently awarded a grant of $5,000 to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic to help provide comprehensive medical and surgical eye care services to the underserved populations of Florida. These services include comprehensive eye exams, diagnostic tests, surgery and treatment. This population’s eye health often goes uncared for and deteriorates unnecessarily. This partnership with UBS will assist the Florida Lions Eye Clinic in providing eye care to maintain and restore vision for those in need. Thank you UBS!

Calling All Volunteers!

As the need for the services the Florida Lions Eye Clinic provides to the community continues to grow, so does our need for volunteers. We welcome anyone in the community who would like to volunteer their time to help us at the clinic and at events in the community. We are also looking for volunteer physicians in the area who are willing to donate their time and services at the clinic or at their practices. If you are interested in helping us meet the needs of those most vulnerable in Southwest Florida, or if you know someone who might be willing to help, please visit our website or give us a call at (239) 498-3937 for more information on how you can be part of our cause.