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The eyes have it: Device means less travel for preemies

Thanks to a $110,000 donation from the Lions Club District A5, parents of premature babies in the northeast won't have to travel to Toronto to initially diagnose the growth of their eye vessels.
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Suzanne Lacroix, a registered nurse with Health Sciences North's neonatal intensive care unit, demonstrates the RetCam. Photo by Jonathan Migneault

Thanks to a $110,000 donation from the Lions Club District A5, parents of premature babies in the northeast won't have to travel to Toronto to initially diagnose the growth of their eye vessels.

The club's donation has allowed Health Sciences North to purchase an advanced diagnostic tool called a RetCam.

With a RetCam, a registered nurse can take a 130-degree image of a child's eye to help physicians diagnose the organ's development.

Premature babies, in particular, can be at risk of abnormal eye vessel growth, which the RetCam can identify.

“Abnormal vessel growth can lead to potential blindness,” said Debi Lahti, clinical manager of Health Sciences North's Family and Child program.

But with early interventions, and laser surgery, damage to a child's eye, and potential blindness, can be prevented.

Health Sciences North sends it RetCam images to specialists at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children through the secure Ontario Telemedicine Network.

Suzanne Lacroix, a registered nurse with the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, said Health Sciences North has had an older RetCam for about eight years, but the new unit will allow for more exams.

In the last year, she said the hospital did between 20 and 30 RetCam exams.

Gerry Bertrand, governor of the District A5 Lions Club, said 53 clubs donated to the fund to purchase the RetCam.

Bertrand said Lions Clubs have been dedicated to eye health since 1925, when Hellen Keller promoted the cause.


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Jonathan Migneault

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