|
CHILDREN'S VISION AND EYE HEALTH UPDATE | MAY 2023 | | |
|
Dear Children's Vision Advocates,
Welcome to May! The sun is shining brightly, and Prevent Blindness is observing Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month with free educational materials about eye health and the effects of UV exposure.
|
|
Free Webinar: Inherited Retinal Diseases and Children’s Vision and Eye Health – What You Need to Know
Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 3:00-4:30 pm ET via Zoom
Inherited retinal diseases—or IRDs—are a group of diseases that can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Examples of IRDs include retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, Stargardt disease, Leber congenital amaurosis, and cone-rod dystrophy. Each IRD is caused by at least one gene that is not working as it should. IRDs can affect people of all ages, can progress at different rates, and are rare. However, many have symptoms that get worse over time. This webinar will focus on Children living with an IRD. Topics covered will include causes, diagnosis, genetic testing, treatment, and support for children and families. For more information, including presenter bios, click here.
Space is still available:
| | |
|
Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children's Vision Award: Call for Nominations | |
|
The Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award recognizes significant efforts by an individual or group of individuals to improve public health approaches for children’s vision and eye health at the state or national level.
We are seeking nominations of individuals or groups who have implemented new and innovative solutions to barriers to healthy vision in children and have successfully identified solutions that are replicable and sustainable. Nominees must demonstrate an impact in one or more of these areas:
- Key Stakeholder Engagement or Collaboration- including representation from families and diverse racial/ethnic/geographic and socio-economic levels target populations
- Training and Education
- Public Awareness
- Provision of Resources and/or Services
- Surveillance and Accountability
- Reduction of Health Inequities
- Vision and Eye Health Infrastructure Development- Local, State, or National Level
- Making the Connection between Vision and Overall Health, Early Childhood Development and Learning
Download individual or group nomination forms.
The application deadline is July 1, 2023, noon EST.
| |
|
On July 12-13, 2023, Prevent Blindness will host the 12th annual Focus on Eye Health Summit as a FREE virtual interactive event.
The 2023 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit asks the question “Why the Eye?” with an aim of stimulating dialogue as we continue to explore vision and eye health through a public health lens.
From our earliest years through our final days, our sight – and, at times, the loss or threat thereof – plays a wondrous role in who we are as people and as a population.
Diverse voices will address challenges to equitable access to eye care, explore new and unique collaborations across stakeholders, and discuss opportunities to integrate vision and eye health into public health policies, practices, and research advancement.
This event will remind us why the eye should be an important focus for us all.
| |
|
We thank VSP Eyes of Hope for their partnership of more than 20 years. VSP provides access to vouchers for eye examinations and eyeglasses for both children and adults. In the past year, VSP gift certificates have helped more than 6,200 school-age children access eye care and glasses through the Prevent Blindness national office and its affiliates.
A VSP gift certificate distributed through Prevent Blindness Georgia helped Brooklyn receive glasses to see more clearly: “I can’t tell you how deeply thankful and grateful we are for Prevent Blindness Georgia. We had no idea Brooklyn needed glasses…. She picked out some pink glasses and couldn’t be more excited. It’s been tough not having insurance and this was a huge blessing as our family has had so many major expenses lately...an adoption, major car issues, and many large medical bills...we just can’t thank you enough for your help.”
When people are able to see clearly, they have the best opportunity to thrive, whether it be in the classroom, in their careers, or simply living their lives to the fullest,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Thanks to our continued partnership with the VSP Eyes of Hope program, Prevent Blindness and our network of affiliates across the country are able to connect tens of thousands of adults and children with access to the quality eyecare they need and deserve.”
To learn more about and access VSP gift certificates, please reach out to Tasha Lockridge, associate director of health services at Prevent Blindness.
| |
Eye Safety During Summer Vacations | |
|
Summer is a great time to spend time outside and away from screens. Download and share with families our Children’s Vision Digital Screen Time Tips in English and Spanish. Myopia, or near-sightedness, has been associated with long hours of device use. Learn more about myopia in our fact sheets in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Tips for preventing and responding to eye injuries can be found in the fact sheet the NCCVEH created for the Office of Head Start.
Tips for selecting sunglasses for children.
| |
|
Dr. Michael Chiang, director of the National Eye Institute and pediatric ophthalmologist, shared important information on myopia, cerebral vision impairment, retinopathy of prematurity, and amblyopia in a recent interview with Prevent Blindness president and CEO, Jeff Todd. Watch the interview.
Looking for fact sheets on vision and eye health to share with families? Find fact sheets on finding an eye doctor, financial assistance programs, toy safety, and more.
The NCCVEH, along with the Children’s Vision Equity Alliance and other organizations, sponsors monthly interviews with BlackDoctor.org on vision and eye health topics. Watch the videos from the “Seeing Eye to Eye” series.
The Annular Solar Eclipse is less than 6 months away, on October 14, 2023. Learn more on our Solar Eclipses Eye Safety page. Order Prevent Blindness solar eclipse viewing glasses for your classrooms through our partner, School Health Corp.
| |
Prevent Blindness works hard to ensure that all children who need eye care are able to receive it and succeed in school, activities and future jobs. | | | | |
