General Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Special Olympics-LCI Opening Eyes Partnership. Once you've volunteered, we encourage you to submit photos and personal stories to LCIF.

Where do Opening Eyes vision screenings take place?
Typical screenings take place at Special Olympics National or State games, most often situated on the grounds of a school or university. Opening Eyes is usually located within walking distance from the main sporting event area. The screening is often housed in a room(s), tent or trailer. Special Olympics provides site, location and logistical arrangements for the screenings and works with volunteers to coordinate the screening.

What do the Lions need to provide?
Volunteer support! A minimum of 10 volunteer Lions are needed per day. Many more Lions are needed for larger screenings (contact local Special Olympics office for estimate). If a large number of volunteers are present, groups can be organized into shifts. Volunteer Lions are asked only to provide their time and dedication. They are not required to provide equipment and/or additional funding. Eyewear is provided free of charge through global sponsorships. 

What do the volunteer Lions do?
Lions help in all non-technical aspects of the screenings such as: registration, near and far visual acuity testing, color vision testing, distribution of glasses and protective sports goggles, and overall event management.

Is training necessary?
The tests and activities that Lions perform do not require advanced training. Details on how to administer the tests can be taught in 10 minutes by the Clinical Director or other volunteer eye care professionals. An orientation session before the screenings is held at which the Lions Opening Eyes Coordinator should be present, but other volunteer Lions do not need advanced training.

How long do Opening Eyes screenings last?
Screenings run anywhere from 1-6 days for the larger national games. Most Opening Eyes screenings last from 2-3 days. Volunteer Lions should expect to work 8 hours per day unless relief shift arrangements have been made.

When are screenings held?
Opening Eyes is usually held over a weekend but may also be held on weekdays.

What does Special Olympics provide for volunteer Lions?
T-shirts and partnership pins will be provided to all volunteers. Lunch will also be provided free of charge on behalf of the local Special Olympics program.

Who is the typical athlete?
The typical athlete is a person with intellectual disabilities who has been through a number of competitions to reach the National or State level games. They must be at least eight years old to compete and some athletes continue on completing well into their 60s and 70s. The athletes are not necessarily children. Opening Eyes has screened people ranging from 8 to 77 years old. An athlete’s physical and mental capabilities can also vary immensely.

What do the athletes receive?
Athletes receive a full vision screening free of charge including glasses and prescription sports goggles, if necessary. The entire screening process usually takes anywhere between 30 minutes to one-hour depending on the number of athlete’s present and individual vision needs. Athletes are also provided with a partnership pin and vision report card at the end of the screening. If the athlete has a particularly difficult prescription, the eyewear will be mailed later. Athletes are escorted to the Opening Eyes area by their coaches or chaperone. Also, for those athletes who do not need glasses, free sunglasses are given.

What about follow-up care?
Usually post-event eye care is not necessary. In rare cases, there may be athletes who require further post-event eye care in which the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Coordinator should be prepared to help.

How many athletes are screened per day?
Anywhere from 100-300 athletes are screened per day depending on the size of the games and volunteer support.

With whom do volunteer Lions work?
Lions work side by side with other volunteers who mostly come from the eye care profession such as optometrists/ophthalmologists, students of optometry, opticians and employees from optical centers.

Who is the Opening Eyes Clinical Director?
The Clinical Director is a volunteer optometrist/ophthalmologist from the country or state where the games are being held who has been trained by Special Olympics to run the screenings and address the eye care needs of this special population. This is the principal coordinator with whom volunteer Lions will be working. The Clinical Director receives specialized training prior to conducting an Opening Eyes program. He/she is not an employee of Special Olympics and takes time away from his/her practice to volunteer.

Who is the National/Executive Director?
The National or Executive Director is responsible for organizing and coordinating the entire Special Olympics games in your area of which Opening Eyes is one part. This person is an employee of Special Olympics. He/she may or may not be present at the screenings but has an interest in the success of the program.

Who is the Opening Eyes Coordinator?
The Lions Coordinator is the chief organizer of volunteer Lions and liaison with the Clinical and National/Executive Director. He/she is appointed annually by the District Governor of the district in which the games are held. Many sites in which Opening Eyes has previously been held already have a Lions Coordinator who can serve again. He/she must be re-appointed by the current District Governor. To become a coordinator, e-mail LCIF.

How else can Lions help Opening Eyes beyond volunteering?
Inform your local optometrist/ophthalmologist and other members of the eye care community about Opening Eyes. Publicize the program in local media with the news release enclosed .

What if Lions of my district want to organize additional screenings?
While LCIF and Special Olympics have allotted funding for scheduled sites, there may be additional screenings in neighboring areas which will need volunteers. To learn about future events, contact your local Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program and/or Opening Eyes Clinical Director and he or she will be able to provide you with additional information.

What if I do not have the date or location of Opening Eyes in my district yet?
Many sites are tentatively scheduled and may be subject to change. Please confirm with LCIF if you have questions. View the schedule of events, which is frequently updated.

What can I do as District Governor?
Appoint a Lions Opening Eyes Coordinator. Inform Erin Crouch, LCIF, of your official Coordinator designee as soon as is known, but no later than three months before Opening Eyes events in your area. Please provide the Coordinator’s mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. Encourage the Lions of your district to support and volunteer for Opening Eyes.

For more information, e-mail Opening Eyes, LCIF.