The morning of the Black Men’s Health Wellness Day in southwest Atlanta buzzed with energy. Dozens of men and community members gathered for a 5K run and health fair near Morehouse College, all wearing bright “Wellness for Everybody” shirts and warm smiles. South Cobb Lions Club members – along with volunteers from Atlanta Metro Lions and the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation – set up vision screening booths at the event. We greeted neighbors and friends, offering free vision screenings and health education. As actor Lamman Rucker spoke passionately on stage about staying on top of one’s health, Lions volunteers used hand-held screening devices to test vision, flagging any issues for follow-up. This day was more than a race: it was a powerful example of how community health events, Lions Club outreach, and preventative vision care* can unite to serve local Black men and families.

Understanding Vision Health Disparities in Black Men

Eye health problems disproportionately affect Black Americans, including the men we serve. For example, data from the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that African Americans are at higher risk for glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy; in fact, Black Americans have some of the highest rates of vision loss and blindness caused by eye disease. Today more than 825,000 Black Americans have diabetic retinopathy, and that number could exceed 1 million by 2030. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, so catching it early is critical. Similarly, glaucoma – which often has no symptoms until late – is especially common: it is about six times more prevalent among Black Americans than whites. A recent study confirmed that Black patients with new glaucoma were six times more likely than white patients to suffer advanced vision loss, underscoring the urgent need for early screening.

• Glaucoma: Black Americans are roughly 6× more likely to develop glaucoma than whites. More than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but half don’t even know it. Left unchecked, glaucoma causes irreversible blindness, costing the U.S. economy about $2.86 billion in healthcare and lost productivity each year.
  
• Diabetic Retinopathy (DR): Over 800,000 Black Americans already live with DR that can lead to blindness. With diabetes rates 60% higher in Black men than in white men, DR is a growing threat. By 2030, over 11 million Americans will have DR, many of them minorities who have less access to care.
  
• Preventable Vision Loss: The NEI emphasizes that many of these eye diseases have no early symptoms and often go undetected without exams. In fact, about 80% of all visual impairment globally can be prevented or treated if caught early. Unfortunately, Black communities have some of the highest rates of vision impairment due to these silent conditions and barriers to care. Early dilated eye exams can catch issues like glaucoma, DR, and cataracts when they’re most treatable.
  

Each of these facts highlights a clear message: vision screenings and free eye exams are vital for Black men’s health. By bringing preventative vision screenings into Black men’s wellness programs, we can catch problems before they lead to vision loss. The Lions Club’s motto of “We Serve” means we step up where healthcare gaps exist.

Lions Club: A Global Legacy in Vision Care

The South Cobb Lions Club is part of a global movement dedicated to fighting blindness and providing sight. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with over 1.4 million members in about 46,000 clubs worldwide. Founded in 1917 – and galvanized by Helen Keller’s famous plea to become “knights of the blind” – Lions clubs have focused on vision care for over a century. This international network has a powerful impact in vision and eye health:

• Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded over $700 million in grants for humanitarian projects around the world, with a significant portion devoted to vision.
  
• Through the LCIF SightFirst program, Lions have invested $370+ million in more than 1,300 vision projects across 112 countries. Those projects have funded 9 million cataract surgeries, trained 2 million eye care workers, and built or equipped 1,350 eye care centers – transforming lives globally.
  
• Lions’ “Opening Eyes” partnership with Special Olympics has provided free vision screenings and eyeglasses to thousands of athletes. In fact, over 400,000 Special Olympics participants have been screened and 175,000 pairs of prescription glasses supplied by Lions volunteers worldwide.
  
• The SightForKids school program (with Johnson & Johnson) has screened 30+ million children globally, treated over 575,000 students, and delivered 500,000 eyeglass pairs to children in need. That means half a million kids saw the chalkboard clearly for the first time thanks to Lions outreach.
  

These numbers illustrate the enormous reach of Lions Club outreach and preventative vision care. Whether building eye clinics in rural areas or offering vision screening fairs in cities, Lions are on the front lines of vision health. As one Lions Foundation leader noted, the SightFirst legacy “has changed lives around the world”.

South Cobb Lions Club: Local Impact in Vision Outreach

Locally, the South Cobb Lions Club has mirrored that commitment. We were founded in 1952 and have served the Mableton/Cobb County community ever since. One of our Five Global Causes is Vision, and we take it seriously. In the past two years we have screened tens of thousands of children in local schools:

• 2022–2023: We screened 4,000+ elementary students for vision problems. These Lions Club vision screenings caught undiagnosed issues early, so parents could get glasses or treatment before permanent vision loss occurred.
  
• 2023–2024: Working with other Cobb County Lions clubs, we have already screened 15,000 more students in 46 schools.
  

These school vision screenings are free and fun. At each school, we use tools like the SPOT Vision Screener (a handheld camera) to quickly check every child’s eyesight. Students line up excitedly, sometimes playfully peeking through the lens. If a screening “fails” (meaning a possible problem), we send a note home. Thanks to our partnership with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, families who can’t afford an eye exam or glasses get financial assistance. In many cases, a child walked away from our screening with a simple reading aid or a referral that completely fixed their vision.

Beyond eyes, South Cobb Lions serve in many ways (food drives, environment cleanups, etc.), but vision is close to our hearts. Every year we collect and recycle used eyeglasses, contribute to eye health education, and raise funds for eye surgeries through SightFirst. In all these efforts, we strive to make sight available “for all.”

Black Men’s Health Wellness Day: Community Vision Screenings

On the morning of the Wellness Day, the atmosphere was lively and hopeful. The start line for the 5K run/walk was jam-packed with friends wearing matching green “Wellness for Everybody” shirts【50†】. Nearby, Lions Club tables offered free vision screenings alongside blood pressure and glucose checks. Donors and partners from companies like Johnson & Johnson and Bayer had set up colorful tents. The scent of coffee and breakfast burritos wafted through the air as families and neighbors chatted.

Volunteers from the South Cobb, Atlanta Metro, and GA Lions Lighthouse clubs greeted everyone with warm smiles. We explained that the vision screening is simple and quick – just a minute with a handheld device that can spot nearsightedness, farsightedness, or other issues. As one attendee remarked, “I’ve been meaning to get my eyes checked, but never had time or money. Thanks to Lions, I get it done today.” Indeed, community health events like this one break down barriers: no appointment needed, no cost, and no judgment. By mid-morning, we had screened over 200 participants, many of them Black men who might not otherwise see an eye doctor regularly.

The event also featured inspiring speakers. On a stage labeled “Saved Experiences”, local personalities and health experts took turns. Actress/TV personality Shanti Das moderated a panel discussion on health, and actor Lamman Rucker (seated in the photo above) shared his own health journey. He reminded everyone that problems like diabetes and high blood pressure can sneak up on you, just like glaucoma can quietly rob your sight if unchecked. Throughout the morning, he and others made it clear: “If you take care of your eyes and heart now, you can be there for your family tomorrow.” Every time a volunteer called out “next!,” a man stepped up for a vision check – often chatting about his grandkids or his favorite football team while peering into the screener.

The partnership on display was powerful. Lions volunteers and the GA Lions Lighthouse staff offered screenings and on-site glasses fittings when needed. Nearby, a mobile clinic from the Lighthouse was ready to provide full dilated exams to anyone who qualified. It was a true community health event: churches, nonprofits, hospitals, and businesses all pitched in. By lunchtime, we had not only raised awareness about eye health but also collected dozens of pairs of used eyeglasses for recycling to those in need. As the Cobb County Courier reported, “vision screenings [were] administered at the Black Men’s Health Wellness Day” by our clubs, showing the power of local Lions Club outreach.

Why Preventative Vision Care Matters

This event underscored a vital truth: preventative care can save sight and lives. We heard multiple times how many eye diseases have no early symptoms. A man might not notice his glaucoma creeping up, or a child might struggle with reading because of untreated nearsightedness. By the time symptoms appear, the damage might be irreversible. That’s why we Lions say, “Seeing is Believing” – and by that we mean early screening. In fact, Lions Clubs International highlights that 80% of visual impairment is preventable or treatable if identified early. Regular eye exams and community screenings are the first step.

Preventative vision care also helps reduce health disparities. When we catch conditions like diabetic retinopathy early, we can slow or stop sight loss before it happens. The Centers for Disease Control agrees: regular eye exams for high-risk groups can prevent vision loss and the associated costs. For example, early glaucoma detection through screening can dramatically reduce the risk of blindness, which is especially important because glaucoma silently affects about half of those who have it. In practical terms, this means hundreds of dollars and hours of productivity saved for each person, and billions of dollars in U.S. healthcare costs overall.

At our event, Lions volunteers explained these facts with heart: “You can’t rely on how you feel, you have to get checked.” We witnessed people leave their screenings amazed that they had no idea their vision was off. One man said through tears, “I’m so glad I came today – I had no idea I was legally blind in one eye.” Moments like that remind us why we serve. Preventative vision care doesn’t just give a pair of glasses; it preserves independence, safety, and quality of life. By making eye health part of Black men’s wellness – alongside checking blood pressure and sugar – we chip away at the disparities.

Get Involved: Free Eye Exams and Community Resources

If you’re inspired to help or need services, there are clear next steps. The South Cobb Lions Club welcomes new volunteers and partners. We meet at the South Cobb Community Center (620 Lions Club Dr SW, Mableton) on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30pm. Come sit in, meet our members, and learn how we run screenings or community projects. You can also contact us by phone or email (for instance, email barryk2010@comcast.net as shown on our foundation’s page) to ask about vision projects or to donate old eyeglasses. Every extra hand or pair of lenses helps.

For individuals seeking care, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is a key resource. It provides free or low-cost eye exams and glasses to qualifying Georgians. Through its Harrell Vision Clinic in Chamblee and mobile vision clinics across the state, the Lighthouse offers fully dilated exams by optometrists. If you missed a screening at the Wellness Day, you can apply for a Lighthouse exam at . They focus on patients who are uninsured or underinsured, so money isn’t a barrier to care.

Keep an eye on local community health events as well: organizations like local health departments, Black men’s health organizations, churches, and nonprofits often host fairs. For example, the Cobb Courier Community Life calendar and South Cobb Lions social channels share upcoming free screenings and health workshops. Even after this event, Lions Clubs around Atlanta will participate in back-to-school fairs, health expos, and African American wellness events. By attending these community health events, you can get free eye exams or learn about more resources. Also consider reaching out to national associations: the National Medical Association’s Black Vision Summit, or organizations like the National Optometric Association, often post local outreach opportunities.

On a personal level, we urge every man to get an annual eye exam. Black men especially should know that our eyes are windows not just to the world but to our overall health. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of glaucoma, take action now. Talk to your doctor or visit a Lions screening table. And if you want to help make a difference, consider joining your local Lions Club chapter. As the South Cobb Lions can attest, one hour of your time can brighten someone’s entire future.

At the end of the day, the Black Men’s Health Wellness Day showed how vision care and community spirit come together. We saw men cross the finish line of a race, and soon after, neighbors getting the gift of clear sight. Lions Club outreach isn’t just about vision screenings; it’s about hope and solidarity. We feel honored to have served our community there, and we know that every eye we check – every person we inform – is a step toward healthier families.

Every pair of eyes matters. By supporting the South Cobb Lions Club, participating in events, or simply spreading the word, you help ensure that the Black men (and all of our neighbors) have the eye care they deserve. Let’s keep running toward a future where every vision is valued.