September | 2026

Learn more about ASTM standards and the right type of protective eyewear for your sport.

Prevent Blindness Board Member Stephanie Marioneaux, MD, discusses sports eye safety and preventing eye injuries.

This month on the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Podcast, host Christopher Hord talks to School Nurse Consultant Shanyn Toulouse, DNP, MEd, RN, NCSN, about sports eye safety and with Danielle Miller, Director of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle.

What is Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)?

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the partial or total blockage of a vein that drains blood from the retina. The retina, located in the back of the eye, captures images and sends them to the brain through the optic nerve to help us see. This blockage of the retinal vein can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Prevent Blindness has developed new web content about RVO, the second most common disease in the world that affects blood vessels in the retina, following diabetic retinopathy.

A recording of our August 6 webinar, Collaborative Solutions for Expanding Eye Care Access in Special Populations, is available on YouTube and on our website.

Watch the fascinating roundtable discussion, which shared practical strategies and actionable ideas for building and strengthening partnerships to advance eye care access for foster youth, immigrant and refugee populations, and tribal communities.

Prevent Blindness is profoundly concerned about a proposed rule from the Trump Administration that would fundamentally change the Head Start Program. Head Start provides comprehensive, high-quality, individualized services to support school readiness and learning for children, from birth through 5 years old, who are from families that have lower incomes. For participating children and families, Head Start provides critical health services, including vision screenings, that help set them on the path to a well-rounded, healthy life with every opportunity to learn.

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.

Sourcing Patients. Engaging Experts. Advancing Research

Study Details and Timing

MedPanel is conducting a confidential survey study to help researchers better understand patients’ experiences with eye health treatments. Participation is entirely online and confidential.

• Step 1 – Screener: A short online screening questionnaire (about 5 minutes) to determine whether you qualify. The screener is unpaid.
• Step 2 – Survey: If you are eligible, complete a one-time online survey that takes about 40 minutes.
• Compensation: $112, paid after you qualify and complete the survey.
• Format: Online survey; responses are kept confidential.

Participant Requirements and Exclusions

• Requirements: Adults who live with a specific eye condition. Eligibility is confirmed through the 5-minute online screener.
• Exclusions: Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are determined during the screening questionnaire. Individuals who do not meet the study criteria will not qualify for the paid survey.

How to Participate

Recruitment site: medpanel.com/eyestudy

ClinicalTrials.gov: Not applicable — this is a market-research survey study and does not have a ClinicalTrials.gov listing.

For More Information

Email: eyeresearch@medpanel.com

Please, no phone calls.

PreventBlindness.org