BY STEPHEN CHAVEZ

During the 10 days of the General Conference session, more than 250 exhibitors hand out tons of printed materials (brochures, calenders, book-marks, pens, refrigerator magnets) and sell everything from food to clothing, books to wall decorations.

The booth staffed by the Health Ministries Department of the General Conference provides something else: practical health screenings that in at least one case may have prevented serious damage to one family’s health.

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: Clarence Omans, O.D., stands with the Wilson family, visiting the GC Session from Bermuda. (Photo credit: Michelle Roberts)

During a health screening for glaucoma, Jackie Wilson of Bermuda and her two children, Samara and Zachary, discovered that they each had symptoms that are a precondition to the illness. Left untreated, their symptoms would lead to blindness.

The Wilsons’ screening was one of more than 300 glaucoma screenings performed daily at the Health Ministries exhibit under the leadership of Clarence Omans, O.D., associate director of vision care for the General Conference. “If we didn’t do anything else during this thing, helping this family has been worth it all,” said Dr. Omans.

The exhibit was designed to be interactive, according to Alan Handysides, M.D., director of the Health Ministries Department. “We’re happy that we have a display that provides a service,” he said. In addition to vision screening, the exhibit offers screenings for dentistry, podiatry, nutrition, and alcohol and drug abuse prevention.

    Pointing to her young daughter, Samara, Jackie Wilson expressed her gratitude. “She could have had glaucoma by the age of 7. I believe the Lord led us to come here.”