Area residents will be offered free eye screening when the North Carolina Lions' "See the 21st Century" Vision Van will be in Seven Lakes Saturday, May 10.

Dr. Keith Poindexter, his eye care professionals and Lions Club volunteers, will man this $250,000 state-of-the-art mobile screening unit. It will provide screening for visual acuity and a variety of eye diseases and disorders.

Some of these maladies can have serious consequences and often provide no warning symptoms. Early detection is the mission of the van and may prevent the loss of sight.

The van will be in the Seven Lakes Food Lion parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents of all ages are welcome, but persons under 18 must have a parent or guardian provide written consent for the screening.

The van is owned and operated by the Lions of North Carolina through the North Carolina Lions Foundation. It travels throughout the state visiting communities at the request of local Lions Clubs. The Seven Lakes Lions Club is sponsoring this screening.

The van was purchased in June 1999 with funds raised by individual clubs and grants from Lions Clubs International and the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation. Assistance in equipping the vehicle was provided by the Duke Eye Center.

Since June 1999, more than 70,000 North Carolina residents have been screened and more than 36,000 have been recommended for follow-up eye care. In addition, more than 64,000 school children have been screened in their schools.