October | 2023

NEWS

Are You Ready for the

Annular Eclipse?

We're Less than Two Weeks from the

"Ring of Fire" Solar Eclipse

An annular eclipse is not the same thing as a total eclipse. You must protect your eyes from injury during the entire eclipse, since the moon does not fully block the surface of the sun from view. Prevent Blindness can help you make the most of this unique cosmic event.

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Astrophotographer Jon Carmichael describes an annular eclipse and explains why wearing the proper eye protection during the event is so important.

More eclipse resources at Prevent Blindness:

Solar Eclipse Eye Safety

Tips for Using Eclipse Glasses

How to Photograph or Record a Solar Eclipse Safely

Planning or Hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

Preschool and Early Childhood Solar Eclipse Lesson and Book

October 14, 2023, Annular Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse Playlist on YouTube

Jon Carmichael annular eclipse video short - thumbnail

Watch the Video!

The Prevent Blindness Eclipse + Your Eyes Program is

Made Possible by the Generous Support of:

Prevent Blindness Kicks Off World Sight Day Activities with a Reception on Capitol Hill, Vision Screening and Eye Health Education Events with Prevent Blindness Affiliates Across the Country to Promote the Theme, “Love Your Eyes at Work”

Leading up to World Sight Day on October 12, 2023, Prevent Blindness is sharing personal stories on its social media channels from alumni of the Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program. The program, which stands for “Advocacy, Support, Perspective, Empowerment, Communication, and Training,” equips participants with knowledge, skills, and confidence to become advocates for vision and eye health at the individual and interpersonal, community, and societal levels. Participants include patients, care partners, and professionals.

Prevent Blindness and its affiliates will also be hosting various free vision screenings and education events across the country, emphasizing workplaces that include smaller businesses and the self-employed. These activities are supported by funding from Horizon Therapeutics and Genentech.

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October is Contact Lens Safety Month

With Halloween quickly approaching, many consumers may be interested in using cosmetic or decorative contacts to enhance their costumes. However, many consumers may not be aware that all contact lenses are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as prescription medical devices even when they are not used for vision correction.

Treat your eyes to a safe Halloween. Protect your vision by safely using contact lenses.

The FDA states that contact lenses are not over-the-counter devices. Companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating FTC regulations by selling contact lenses without a prescription. Contact lenses sold without a prescription from unlicensed vendors such as certain online distributors or novelty stores, may be contaminated and/or counterfeit and are therefore not safe to use.

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Prevent Blindness Offers Information on Inflammatory Eye Diseases to Educate the Public on Ways to Protect Vision and Prevent Unnecessary Vision Loss

During the third annual Inflammatory Eye Disease (IED) Awareness Week, September 18-24, Prevent Blindness debuted a new episode in the online Focus on Eye Health Expert Series, “Uveitis and Inflammatory Eye Diseases.” Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, interviews Steven Yeh, MD, Professor and Stanley Truhlsen Jr. Chair of Ophthalmology, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Yeh is also a volunteer on the Prevent Blindness Scientific Committee. IED Awareness Week is supported by a grant from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

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