Eye Care for Molokai `Opio

“It is important for children’s eyes to be regularly screened in the first 8 years in order to ensure their vision is developing correctly,” Dr. Leong said, explaining that there is no reason for a child to lose their sight because of a treatable condition.

Dr. Leong said the screening went well, with 16 out of 188 kindergarten through sixth-grade students receiving referral letters.

“Next year, with the continued support of the Lions Club, we plan to include all of the elementary schools of Molokai,” Dr. Leong said, explaining that he hopes to make the screenings an annual event.

“Both of us doctors and our staff feel very fortunate that our profession allows us to help people,” Dr. Leong said. “We can do what we know best when we donate our time.”

Both doctors have traveled the world providing medical care services to people in countries such as Thailand, Mexico, Chile, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Dr. Leong and Dr. Lee graduated in 2003 from the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. In 2005, they started a practice on Maui. Dr. Leong is a native of Nanakuli, Oahu, and one of the few Fellows of the Academy of Optometry in the state of Hawaii. Dr. Lee has completed over 10 medical eye missions across the world, including last year’s Give the Gift of Sight program with the Molokai Lions Club.

Mahalo to everyone who helped, including Espiritu and her staff, The Molokai Lions Club, known internationally for their support of vision services, Charlo Vierra, the Vision Center Manager for Kahului Wal*Mart (who was gracious to let us completely close the doctor's office), and ophthalmic technicians Lei Fujishiro, Leilani Ramos, and Lara Fae Ramos.

For more information on Amblyopia visit:
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/index.asp
http://www.lazyeye.org/
http://www.preventblindness.org/children/amblyopiaFAQ.html