Lions Club raising funds for eye institute

Peter Buch, director of imaging at the Lions Diagnostic Imaging Center in the Ross Eye Institute, explains a retina camera being upgraded with the help of funds being raised by the Amherst Lions Club.

The most comprehensive center for the diagnosis of eye diseases in Western New York - the Lions Diagnostic Imaging Center - opened recently in the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute at 1176 Main St., Buffalo.

The Amherst Lions Club is now preparing for a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 15, in Christ United Methodist Church, 350 Saratoga Road, to raise money for upgrading equipment at the center.

The Ross Eye Institute is a collaboration of the University at Buffalo's Department of Ophthalmology and the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted, M.D., Center for the Visually Impaired.

The late Dr. Olmsted gave $4 million in challenge grants to create the institute adjacent to the Olmsted Center, and various public and private agencies responded to make her dream a reality, including the Lions Club of the Niagara Frontier, which pledged $400,000 to fund the institute's cutting-edge diagnostic technology.

The Lions, through members' Vision Beyond Sight Foundation, have already given $150,000 and continue to raise funds to complete their pledge.

The Amherst Lions have given $1,500 to date and hope to at least double that amount through the proceeds of the club's annual pancake breakfast in the church at Harlem and Saratoga Roads from 8:30 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 15.

Adult tickets are $5, and tickets for children 12 and younger are $3.50. To make cash donations or purchase tickets in advance, contact breakfast chairman Herb Wilber at 833-6756. Members of the Lions are also selling tickets.

In addition to a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, juice and coffee, those attending the breakfast will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for gift baskets on display.

Also in support of its mission to fight blindness, the Lions will provide free vision screening tests for young children. These tests reveal early eye diseases in time for treatment and have saved the sight of hundreds of children in this area. There will also be a physical therapist present to explain how physical therapy can be used to treat multiple physical problems.

"The Amherst Lions have specifically identified the fundus (retina) camera in the Lions Diagnostic Imaging Center as the focus - pun intended - for our fundraising at this year's breakfast," said Amherst Lions President Richard F. Teetsel.

Photographer Peter Buch, director of imaging at the Lions center, explained that the fundus camera is used for imaging of the retina and optic nerve.

"Funds are needed to upgrade the digital camera and digital processing computer, which provide even higher quality images and make it easier for doctors to diagnose eye diseases," he said. "The Amherst Lions are going to help us do this, and we thank them for their support."

He added, "There is nothing else like the Lions Diagnostic Imaging Center in Western New York.

UB's Department of Ophthalmology formerly operated a smaller diagnostic center at the Erie County Medical Center.

"We are seeing four times as many patients here as we could handle at ECMC. We will be able to handle 1,500 patients - adults and children - this year and even greater numbers in 2009," Buch said.

The adjoining Olmsted Institute provides vision services, rehabilitation, job training and social services for those with visual disabilities.