Living Our Mission:Living Our Mission:Eye Care Around the WorldEye Care Around the World

Loyola University, Dept. of Loyola University, Dept. of OphthalmologyOphthalmology

Phil Albano,Phil Albano,Lions Club International Lions Club International Foundation Division Foundation Division ManagerManager

R. Tracy Williams, R. Tracy Williams, O.D.O.D.Deicke Center for Visual Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation Executive Rehabilitation Executive DirectorDirector

Loyola University, Dept. Loyola University, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Low of Ophthalmology, Low Vision Services, Clinical Vision Services, Clinical Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor

Lions International World Sight Day, Bosnia 2004

World Sight DayWorld Sight DayBosnia – HerzegovinaBosnia – HerzegovinaOctober 2004October 2004 About Lions …About Lions …

1.1. Nearly 1.4 million Lions members in 193 Nearly 1.4 million Lions members in 193 countriescountries

2.2. For 85 years, whenever that there is a For 85 years, whenever that there is a need at home or around the world, Lions need at home or around the world, Lions members are there to help.members are there to help.

3.3. Lions Club International Foundation since Lions Club International Foundation since 1972-73 has granted more than US$347 1972-73 has granted more than US$347 million for humanitarian service projects.million for humanitarian service projects.

World Sight DayWorld Sight DayBosnia – HerzegovinaBosnia – HerzegovinaOctober 2004October 2004

Funding priorities …Funding priorities …1.1. Preserving SightPreserving Sight

1.1. Children’s Eye Photoscreening ProgramChildren’s Eye Photoscreening Program2.2. Low Vision ProjectsLow Vision Projects

2.2. Promoting HealthPromoting Health1.1. Diabetes Prevention and TreatmentDiabetes Prevention and Treatment

3.3. Combating DisabilityCombating Disability1.1. Building homes for the blind and disabled with Habitat for Building homes for the blind and disabled with Habitat for

HumanityHumanity4.4. Serving YouthServing Youth

1.1. Expansion of Lions QuestExpansion of Lions Quest5.5. Emergency Grants … in the wake of natural disasters.Emergency Grants … in the wake of natural disasters.6.6. 47 million treatments for “River Blindness”,47 million treatments for “River Blindness”,

9 million persons per year.9 million persons per year.7.7. 3.4 million cataract surgeries on poorest of poor.3.4 million cataract surgeries on poorest of poor.8.8. 409 hospitals built409 hospitals built9.9. 13,886 eye doctors and nurses trained.13,886 eye doctors and nurses trained.10.10. Eye health delivery systems in 85 countries.Eye health delivery systems in 85 countries.

World Sight DayWorld Sight DayBosnia – HerzegovinaBosnia – HerzegovinaOctober 2004October 2004

Brief Recent History …Brief Recent History …1.1. Winter Olympics Sarajevo 1984Winter Olympics Sarajevo 19842.2. Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)3.3. Six Republics: Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Six Republics: Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro,

Serbia, and Slovenia.Serbia, and Slovenia.4.4. ““Tight control” until Marshall Tito’s death in 1980 and fall Tight control” until Marshall Tito’s death in 1980 and fall

of the Soviet Union in 1989.of the Soviet Union in 1989.5.5. Bosnia army mainly composed of Bosnian Serbs with Bosnia army mainly composed of Bosnian Serbs with

Russian support.Russian support.6.6. Serbs – Eastern Orthodox, Croats – Roman Catholic, Serbs – Eastern Orthodox, Croats – Roman Catholic,

Bosnians – MuslimsBosnians – Muslims7.7. 1991 Census of Bosnia; 43% Muslim, 31% Serbian, and 1991 Census of Bosnia; 43% Muslim, 31% Serbian, and

17% Croation.17% Croation.8.8. Serbs want to expand Republic of Serbia.Serbs want to expand Republic of Serbia.9.9. April ‘91 Bosnia-Herzegovina declares independenceApril ‘91 Bosnia-Herzegovina declares independence10.10. April ‘92 Wars breaks out – 200,000 die, 2 million April ‘92 Wars breaks out – 200,000 die, 2 million

displaced.displaced.11.11. Dayton Peace Accord Nov. 21, 1995. Wright-Patterson Air Dayton Peace Accord Nov. 21, 1995. Wright-Patterson Air

Force Base, Dayton, OhioForce Base, Dayton, Ohio12.12. NATO troops still occupy territories today.NATO troops still occupy territories today.13.13. Many orphans as a result of the warMany orphans as a result of the war14.14. Eye care is one of many needs.Eye care is one of many needs.

A Project of Lions InternationalA Project of Lions International1.1. Lions in Bosnia and Herzegovina hold eye care Lions in Bosnia and Herzegovina hold eye care

screenings for children in Sarajevo, Mostar, screenings for children in Sarajevo, Mostar, Banjluke, and Tuzla on October 13 – 14, 2004.Banjluke, and Tuzla on October 13 – 14, 2004.

2.2. Dr. R. Tracy Williams, (Wheaton Lion and Loyola Dr. R. Tracy Williams, (Wheaton Lion and Loyola faculty member) was one of three doctors from the faculty member) was one of three doctors from the U.S.A. invited to join doctors from Bosnia and U.S.A. invited to join doctors from Bosnia and Herzegovina to screen children in schools and Herzegovina to screen children in schools and orphanages.orphanages.

3.3. 548 children were screened by doctors.548 children were screened by doctors.4.4. Amblyopia, Strabismus and uncorrected hyperopia Amblyopia, Strabismus and uncorrected hyperopia

often with anisometropia was commonly found.often with anisometropia was commonly found.5.5. Few children had prescriptive glasses who required Few children had prescriptive glasses who required

them.them.6.6. Pediatric Ophthalmology is an established specialty Pediatric Ophthalmology is an established specialty

in Bosnia.in Bosnia.7.7. Shortage of vitreal-retinal specialists and Shortage of vitreal-retinal specialists and

subsequent care.subsequent care.8.8. Minimal help for visually impaired, need for low Minimal help for visually impaired, need for low

vision rehabilitation.vision rehabilitation.

World Sight DayWorld Sight DayBosnia – HerzegovinaBosnia – HerzegovinaOctober 2004October 2004

Thank You!Thank You!

Lions International announced US $130,000 Lions International announced US $130,000 initiative for the prevention of worldwide initiative for the prevention of worldwide blindness in Bosnia and Herzegovina.blindness in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

World Sight Day 2005, Hyderabad, India.World Sight Day 2005, Hyderabad, India.