Lifesight

Programs: Following a year of research and development, northern plains eye foundation(npef) launched northern plains eye foundation western south dakota lions children's vision screening initiative (cvsi) in may of 2012. Through partnerships with area eye care professionals and local lions clubs,cvsi makes free vision screenings accessible to pre-school and elementary age children across the black hills region. While only an eye care professional can diagnose and treat a vision problem, vision screenings find children with udetected vision problems who are in need of a complete eye exam. Vision screening results are provided to parents of all children screened and indicate either no additional follow-up is required, or a (text exceeds space allowed - carried over to schedule o) complete eye exam by an eye care professional is recommended. In the case of children recommended for a complete eye exam, additional information is provided about why the child is being referred to an eye care professional, the meaning of eye conditions identified on the screening result, a list of eye care professionals in the region and other resources for assistance. As of may 2016, over 12,500 cvsi free vision screenings have been administered. From those, 1,380 children, whose results identified potential risk factors that inhibit proper vision development, have been referred for a comprehensive eye exam. With cvsi early detection, effective treatment is usually possible. If left untreated, children are at risk of permanent vision loss, affecting, among other things, issues such as childhood development, academic achievement, and high school drop-out rates. In the fall of 2014, npef was afforded the opportunity to engage a 4th year medical student at the university of south dakota sanford school of medicine and a partnering optometric intern from the illinois college of optometry in a research project related to npef's cvsi. The research project culminated in the publication of a manuscript entitled, "results of a pediatric vision screening program in western south dakota" in the march 2015 edition of south dakota medicine, the south dakota state medical association medical journal. Since that time, npef continues to engage with medical students at the university of south dakota sanford school of medicine in ongoing volunteer research projects related to cvsi.

christmas gift of sight, a charitable program launched in 2008, awards sight-saving surgery to individuals without the financial means to afford the necessary care. In 2015, npef expanded its christmas gift of sight program from annual to semi-annual surgery awards. Since its inception, npef has provided over 40 sight-saving surgeries through christmas gift of sight, helping those underserved in our community regain their vision, and most importantly, independence, mobility and quality of life.

npef's health-care education scholarship program was developed in 2005 in recognition of the need for future health and eye care professionals in our region. Scholarships were initially awarded to undergraduate students pursuing full-time health-care related studies. Following a program evaluation in 2012, npef made a decision to change the format of the scholarship program from general health care to a format focused more directly on impacting the growing need for eye care professionals. Beginning in 2013, through an agreement with the university of south dakota foundation, npef pledged to give 7,500 in scholarship awards (text exceeds space allowed - carried over to schedule o) (1,500/scholarship/year) to fourth year students with an expressed interest in ophthalmology or optometry, who have been accepted into the university of south dakota sanford school of medicine. The scholarship, named the northern plains eye foundation dr. Paul l. Zimmerman memorial scholarship, honors the legacy of dr. Paul l. Zimmerman, a respected partner in ophthalmology at black hills regional eye institute and much-loved member of our foundation's board of directors, who passed away after a courageous battle with malignant melanoma of the eye. Since the program's 2005 inception, npef has awarded 79,000 in scholarship funds to recipients in its 5-state service area.

1)south dakota optometric society exhibit/sponsorship 2)eye care professional education sponsorship 3)newsletter 4)workplace vision wellness 5)resource center for eye-related information/needs