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By Audrey Warren
Daily Cougar Staff

The UH College of Optometry is celebrating "Save Your Vision Week" by offering free vision screenings March 9-11.

To promote awareness of the importance of good vision, professors and students of the College of Optometry will be conducting eye examinations at UH through March 9.

"It is important to see well," said Milagros Paez, a Spring resident who saw the screening advertised on television and brought her three children to UH for examinations Monday.

The screenings will attempt to isolate any vision problems, and a doctor will be able to refer us to a clinic if needed, Paez said. "It makes us aware of the problem," she said.

The screenings consist of both external and internal tests. Two optometry students attend each of the four stations and conduct examinations to measure visual capabilities.

The tests, however, are not meant to take the place of a complete eye examination, said Norman Bailey, an optometrist at the College of Optometry.

The screenings are to evaluate visual acuity, alignment and coordination of the eyes, Bailey said. If a person is not within the normal range or of acceptable limits, then he or she is referred to a specialist.

Bailey and a fourth-year optometry student were at the screenings Monday to review test results and to decide if recommendations for further examination were needed.

Screenings are done throughout the year, said Roman Klufas, a second-year optometry student who is helping with the examinations. It gives people a general idea of their visual capacity.

Eye screenings are done in both the fall and spring semesters at UH. Tuesday screenings will be held at the UH College of Business from 9 a.m. to noon. Screenings will also be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Academic Building Concourse at UH-Downtown.

Eye examinations are also offered by appointment at the College of Optometry for $42. Students receive a $12 discount if they present their Cougar 1Card.