Prevent Blindness Launches “The Focus Initiative,” a New Program Designed to Foster
Open Collaboration Among Vision and Public Health Professionals
CHICAGO (July 13, 2016) –Prevent Blindness has launched “The Focus Initiative,” a virtual forum for those working in vision and public health. The program was debuted today at the non-profit group’s 2016 Focus on Eye Health National Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Focus Initiative is a professional network that encourages the sharing of resources, including vision research, research grant opportunities, professional recognition, training materials, webinars, events, etc., among the vision and public health community. Those interested in participating can join the dedicated LinkedIn group by visitingwww.preventblindness.org/linkedin.
The first webinar of The Focus Initiative will be held, Tues., Sept. 20, 2016, on the release of the upcoming consensus study, “Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health,” from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Registration information will be released in the upcoming weeks.
Scheduled speakers for the webinar representing the NASEM Consensus Study Committee include:
- · Steven Teutsch, MD, MPH (Study Chair), University of California – Los Angeles’s Fielding School of Public Health
- · Lori Grover, OD, PhD
- · Peter Jacobson, JD, MPH, University of Michigan’s School of Public Health
- · Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine
“By bringing together professionals to share ideas and resources, we can effectively create strategies to save sight and protect healthy vision for people at all stages of life,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “The Focus Initiative will provide professionals with immediate access to the latest information, tools and programs from some of the most respected names and institutions across the country.”
For more information on The Focus Initiative from Prevent Blindness, please call (800) 331-2020 or visitwww.preventblindness.org/focus-initiative.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.orgor facebook.com/preventblindness.
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Prevent Blindness Asks Parents to Put Their Children on the Path to a Successful School Year with a Complete Eye Exam
Prevent Blindness Declares August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month to Educate Public on the Importance of Healthy Vision for Kids
CHICAGO (July 14, 2016) – To help put children on the path to a successful school year, Prevent Blindness urges parents to take their child for a complete eye exam from an eyecare professional. Prevent Blindness has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month to inspire parents to make their child’s vision health a priority.
According to data from the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) report, “Children’s Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National Issues,” visual functioning is a strong predictor of academic performance in school-age children. In addition, uncorrected refractive errors in infants and preschool-age children are associated with developmental delays, as well as with clinically identified deficits in cognitive and visual-motor functions that may in turn affect school readiness. Vision problems can be treated successfully if detected early. Vision screenings along with complete eye examinations are two critical ways to identify possible vision problems and get children connected to treatment.
Unfortunately for many families, cost and access to eye care is a limiting issue. The Affordable Care Act mandates that all plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace include vision coverage for children. In most states, that includes one comprehensive eye exam and one pair of eyeglasses. Prevent Blindness offers additional information and a free fact sheet, “The Affordable Care Act and Your Child's Eyes.” Or, visit the Prevent Blindness Vision Care Financial Assistance Information resource.
Vision requirements for school enrollment vary by state. The Children’s Vision and Eye Health report also includes information about state legislation for vision screening and/or mandated eye exams.
“Keeping children’s eyes healthy has been part of our organization’s mission for more than 100 years,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our goal is to provide parents and teachers with the tools and information they need to help ensure the vision health of our kids today and well into their future.”
To support children’s vision programs, OCuSOFT ® Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company dedicated to innovation in eyelid hygiene and ocular health, has agreed to donate 10 percent of all online sales to Prevent Blindness during August’s Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month.
For more information on children’s eye health and safety, the NCCVEH, or eye care assistance programs, please call Prevent Blindness at(800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.orgor facebook.com/preventblindness.