HONOLULU — Project Vision, a mobile retina screening program that helps detect systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, will conduct free retinal screenings at the Maui Da Kidney Dakine day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Queen Kaahumanu Center in Wailuku, Maui, according to a news release.

Project Vision has already served hundreds of Oahu patients since its launch in November. Now with the help of the Hawaii Superferry, it is able to bring its sight-saving services to the people of Maui, the release said.

"Since the creation of Project Vision, it has always been our goal to bring this much-needed service to the neighboring islands," said Dr. Michael Bennett, president of the Retina Institute of Hawaii and Project Vision.

"We are so grateful to the Hawaii Superferry for donating our round trip transportation of vehicle and staff so that we could be part of this community event."

"It was our hope that Hawaii Superferry would be used to bring new opportunities to the neighbor islands in which we serve, and we are very happy to lend a hand", said Lani Olds, Hawaii Superferry's director of customer experience and community relations.

The Project Vision mobile unit is equipped with a state-of-the-art retinal camera which provides a 200-degree internal view of a patient's retina in less than 90 seconds The procedure requires no eye drops and there is no invasive risk to the patient, as the pupil is not dilated. The van is staffed by both paid medical personnel as well as trained volunteers. If results are abnormal, patients will be notified and helped to find appropriate care.