July | 2026

Dry Eye Month at Prevent Blindness is once again supported by OCuSOFT Inc., a privately held eye and skin care company dedicated to innovation in eyelid hygiene and ocular health.

This month on the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Podcast, host Christopher Hord talks to Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program participants Aidan Moore, co-founder and executive director of the Dry Eye Foundation, and Pam Gaio, an individual living with dry eye.

To help keep the 4^th of July festive and safe, check out our webpage, download our new educational flyer “Fireworks and Your Eyes: Celebrate Safely,” and follow us on our social media channels to see Iris and Cornelius demonstrating fireworks alternatives for safe celebrations!

Thomas L. Steinemann, MD, long-time Prevent Blindness Ohio volunteer, shares insights into the impact that fireworks injuries can have on the eyes and vision, instructions on what do to in the event of a serious eye injury, and more.

Prevent Blindness recommends that everyone receive a comprehensive eye exam through dilated pupils regularly as recommended by your eye doctor.



If you are having trouble seeing clearly or have noticed a change in your vision, call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment. If you have a large sudden change in vision, sudden pain, or injured your eye(s), seek immediate emergency medical attention.

2026 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award:

Call for Nominations

The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) has issued a call for nominations for the 12th annual “Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award.”

This national award recognizes significant efforts by an individual or group of individuals to improve public health approaches to children’s vision and eye health. The deadline for submission is July 25, 2026, at noon ET.

Nominees for the award may be individuals or groups comprised of diverse stakeholders, including families/caregivers, community leaders, public health professionals, healthcare and eyecare providers, educators, and others, who are implementing changes to improve children’s vision and reduce disparities in children’s vision and eye health in the United States.

The second webinar of the 2026 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Webinar Series, this roundtable discussion will share practical strategies and actionable ideas for building and strengthening partnerships to advance eye care access for foster youth, refugees, and Tribal communities. Join us on August 6 from 2-3:30 pm ET.

The NORTHSTAR study is testing the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of an investigational drug called gildeuretinol acetate (ALK-001) in those with Stargardt disease. Participants who are medically eligible to take part in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either the investigational drug or placebo during the treatment period. The study drug and placebo come in capsule form and are taken by mouth once a day.

You may be able to join if you:

• Are 8 to 45 years old
• Have been diagnosed with typical autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD), a form of inherited macular dystrophy
• Have genetic test results showing at least one disease-causing change (mutation) in the ABCA4 gene

If you or your child choose to participate, the investigational drug and all study-related visits, exams, tests, and procedures that are not part of routine care will be provided at no cost to you.

Email trials@alkeus.com for more information or to see if you qualify.

PreventBlindness.org