June | 2025

NEWS

Why the Eye Patch?

two girls diagnosed with amblyopia that is being treated by patching

This summer, the new Disney/Pixar animated movie Elio takes us on an incredible intergalactic adventure. The main character, Elio Solis, wears an eye patch. Could Elio have amblyopia? Did he injure himself playing sports? Does he like to pretend he is a pirate? What do eye patches mean for children in real life? Prevent Blindness answers common questions asked by parents and caregivers.

What You Need to Know About Amblyopia

Dr. Sandy Block - What you need to know about amblyopia.

Sandra S Block, OD, MEd, MPH, discusses amblyopia (lazy eye), a common children's vision problem.

Helpful hints for amblyopia and eye patching

New Movie Highlights the Gift of Sight

Another film premiering this June provides a powerful and unexpected opportunity to emphasize the importance of children's eye health. My Eyes, a feature film shot across Australia and Mexico and created by optometrist and filmmaker Tsu Shan Chambers, will begin a series of U.S. premiere fundraising screenings. Prevent Blindness is proud to serve as a key U.S. partner for the film's screenings across the country.

Special Premiere Screening Events of My Eyes. Follow the link for details and to purchase tickets.

The child at the center of this film has a condition called retinitis pigmentosa (or RP). This is one of any number of conditions referred to as inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) that can lead to severe vision loss or blindness. These conditions can vary in severity and progression.


You can join this unique screening event. Follow the link for special screening dates and to purchase tickets. A portion of proceeds from these screenings will support the sight-saving programs and services of Prevent Blindness.

June is Cataract Month

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. The lens of the eye is located behind the pupil and the colored iris, and is normally transparent. The lens helps to focus images onto the retina – which transmits the images to the brain. More than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataract or have had surgery to remove cataract. Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations in the United States.

You Can Prevent Fireworks Injuries

someone holding a lit sparkler

Prevent Blindness has declared June 28-July 4, 2025, as the Fifth Annual Fireworks Safety Awareness Week in an effort to educate the public on the dangers of fireworks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that thousands of fireworks injuries are treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments around the Independence Day holiday, including many to the eyes and face. Some injuries lead to irreversible vision loss or even blindness. Learn the facts and be an advocate for safe summer celebrations.

This Month on the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Podcast


  • Proposed federal budget cuts: the potential impact on research and eye and vision programs


  • Cataract Month


  • Amblyopia, eye patches, and the new Disney/Pixar movie

Find the Focus on Eye Health Podcast on:


Amazon Music


Apple Podcasts


PodBean


Spotify


YouTube

2025 Focus On Eye Health National Summit

Session recordings of the 2025 Focus on Eye Health Summit: Perspectives in Vision, are now available on our YouTube channel and website.

Prevent Blindness to Hold 17th Annual Swing Fore Sight Golf Outing at Vision Expo West, Las Vegas

The 17th Annual Prevent Blindness Swing Fore Sight golf outing will take place on Wed., Sept. 17, 2025, at the Bali Hai Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nev., in conjunction with Vision Expo West. Registration and breakfast begin at 6 a.m. PT, with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. PT. All proceeds from the event will go to support Prevent Blindness and its sight-saving programs.


A variety of sponsorship levels are available, including Gold, Silver and Bronze, as well as Breakfast, Lunch, Hospitality sponsorships and program ads. Current sponsors include Advancing Eyecare, INVISION Magazine and Media, Jobson Interactive, The Vision Council and Vision Expo.

Sponsored Content

Opportunity to participate in the 4951-002 study. Ask your eye care provider or find out more at clinicaltrials.gov
Opportunity to participate in the 4951-003 study. Ask your eye care provider or find out more at clinicaltrials.gov

What You Need to Know About Clinical Trials


Learn more about finding and participating in clinical trials for eye diseases and vision.


PreventBlindness.org

Give the Gift of Sight

PreventBlindness.org

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