|
"Eye Learn About" Lessons to Keep Eyes Healthy | Join this free webinar to explore the “Eye Learn About” series of lessons from the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health. The lessons for young children ages 4 to 6 years cover eating vitamin-rich foods that can keep eyes healthy, understanding when children need eyeglasses, and protecting eyes from injury and sun damage. Gain practical tips for teaching children these eye health lessons, explore fun interactive learning activities, and hear from Head Start staff who are currently using the series in their classrooms. This webinar is offered with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Donna Fishman, Director of the NCCVEH, is the featured presenter, along with staff from the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. |
| Start The New Year with New Preschool Vision Screening Recommendations | | Did you know the NCCVEH issued new vision screening recommendations for young children (3 through 6 years)? You can download the article (for free), “Recommended practices for vision screening in pre-school-age children: A 2025 update,” published in the October 2025 issue of Optometry and Vision Science with supplemental materials. | |
|
What are the changes in the 2025 updated preschool screening recommendations?
- Annual screening
- Referral criteria: 20/50 for 3-year-olds, 20/40 for 4-year-olds, and 20/32 for children 5 years and older
- Greater emphasis on observation before using screening tests
- Binocular, critical line near functional vision screening for all children, even when using instruments
- Stereopsis screening, except when using instruments
- Color vision deficiency screening for children with suspected color vision deficiencies or reported family histories
- Rescreening untestable children within 2 weeks instead of 6 months
- Emphasis on developing a systematic process to help close the gap between referrals from vision screening and eye exams, and treatment
Check out this article featuring the NCCVEH Director about the new recommendations.
| | | | Prevent Blindness Children's Vision Screening Certification Course | | As you return to school and begin vision screening, please remember that to help ensure a consistent and standardized approach, the national Prevent Blindness Children's Vision Screening Certification Course provides training and certification in evidence-based children's vision screening protocols and techniques. The course also highlights ways to help decrease the gap between referrals from vision screening and confirmatory eye examinations and treatment. In addition to online modules, the course provides individualized virtual skills mentoring sessions using teach-back demonstration methodology to ensure you use tools correctly and are comfortable with how you screen vision and follow up with families. This national certification is valid for 3 years. You will also receive 5 contact hours for professional development. | |
Notice: The current Children's Vision Screening Training course will end on April 30, 2026. All enrollees must have the training fully completed by that date to receive the national certification. The new Children's Vision Screening Training will be launched in March 2026. If you have questions during this time of transition, please email pbtraining@preventblindness.org. | | | |
Your Adult Eyes
January is National
Glaucoma Awareness Month
| | |
Did you know that more than 2.8 million Americans age 40 years and older have glaucoma? Nearly half do not know they have the disease, as it causes no early symptoms. Glaucoma is a serious, lifelong eye disease that causes vision loss by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends information from your eyes to your brain. When glaucoma damages your optic nerve, you begin to lose patches of vision – usually peripheral (side) vision.
Glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. It is important that you see your eye doctor when you notice any changes with your vision. That is because glaucoma can usually be treated and controlled using medicine(s), laser surgery, glaucoma surgery, or a combination of these treatments. Medicines (eye drops) are typically the first step in treatment.
| | School Nurse Featured in Prevent Blindness Texas Podcast | | Medicaid Cuts Services for Schoolchildren | | |
Did you know that Medicaid plays a key role in funding school health services? In fact, Medicaid spends more than $8 billion annually for services in schools, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The federal reconciliation bill signed into law in July 2025 (H.R.1) cuts almost $1 trillion in federal funding from Medicaid over the next decade. While H.R.1 does not place limits on the school Medicaid program, all states will face considerable decreases in the amount of federal Medicaid funding they receive, which is likely to cause significant budget gaps that will force states to draw from general funds, raise taxes, and/or cut Medicaid benefits. This puts the school Medicaid program at risk.
Learn more from our partner, the Healthy Schools Campaign, and find out what may be cut and how YOU can help shape state and district policy.
| |
Understanding Insurance Benefits
for Eye Care
| | Prevent Blindness aims to help individuals and families better understand their vision and eye care benefits. The new online guide, “Understanding Insurance Benefits for Eye Care,” breaks down the often-confusing landscape of insurance terms, coverage types, and benefits related to eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, medical eye care, and surgery. The resource also offers links to additional information on vision care financial assistance programs, helpful videos, opportunities to engage in eye care advocacy, and a platform for sharing personal vision stories. | | Support children's vision and eye health and make your gift today! | | | | |
