November 2021
Dear NEHEP Partners,

About 1 in 10 people in the United States are living with diabetes, putting them at higher risk for eye diseases. That’s why we’re recognizing National Diabetes Month this November to highlight eye health resources for people with diabetes.

We’re also excited to announce the launch of the NEI Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future, our strategic roadmap for the next 5 years. The plan includes 7 areas of emphasis that represent challenges in the field of vision science. Learn more about our strategic plan.

Best,
Devina Kuo Fan, MPH
Director, National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)
National Eye Institute
Advance treatment for Stargardt disease by promoting NEI’s new
clinical trial
NEI is funding a clinical trial to find a treatment for Stargardt disease — a rare genetic disorder that causes blindness in children. NEI is recruiting participants through a social media campaign, and NEHEP partners can support the campaign by promoting the trial through their own social media accounts.
Learn about efforts to diversify the field of optometry
One of Black EyeCare Perspective’s initiatives is to recruit students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) into careers in optometry. Their second annual IMPACT HBCU event featured a lineup of speakers who provided insight into the optometry field, the eye care industry, and Black optometrists.
Step up with the American Diabetes Association
Through “The Big Step Up,” the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is challenging people across the nation to take steps toward better health, no matter how small those steps may be. Throughout November, the ADA will educate people about diabetes and its complications, showcasing simple steps to prevent, recognize, and ease the burden of diabetes.
Read the American Optometric Association (AOA)'s public policy briefs
The AOA Health Policy Institute (HPI) develops innovative and educational resources and tools for policymakers, health care professionals, and patients. With a goal of increasing patient safety and improving public health, the AOA HPI’s public policy briefs feature topics like medical device and product safety and comprehensive eye exams for people with diabetes.
Calendar of Events
Tune in to a free virtual workshop hosted by
Prevent Blindness
On November 4 at 1 p.m. ET, Prevent Blindness will host a workshop called “Public Health and Research Applications of the CDC’s Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS).” This workshop will focus on how to use the CDC’s VEHSS and how to leverage it for public health research and programs.
Other Resources
Resource: NEI’s Diabetes and Your Eyes handout — also available in Spanish — describes ways to manage diabetes and keep eyes healthy.
Resource: A podcast episode from Hadley features Dr. Tim Murray of the American Society of Retina Specialists answering common questions about diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and more retinal diseases. 
Resource: AOA’s Diabetes & Your Eyes infographic urges people who have diabetes or are at risk for diabetes to get their eyes checked by an eye care professional every year.
November 4 to 18, 2021: The NIH Common Fund will host Community Listening Sessions to help identify new solutions and inform the development of interventions to address health disparities and advance health equity.
November 12 to 14, 2021: The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is holding their Annual Continuing Education Program live in New Orleans and virtually.
November 13 to 16, 2021: The American Academy of Ophthalmology is holding their annual meeting both live in New Orleans and virtually.
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