The Alcon Foundation and American Optometric Foundation Challenge AAO Attendees to Help Raise Money for Pediatric Optometric Research
- The Alcon Foundation to make $25,000 donation to the American Optometric Foundation when meeting attendees download 2,020 Howard and the Amazing Eye Exam e-books
- Howard and the Amazing Eye Exam e-book co-author and Howard to appear at The Alcon Foundation booth
Anaheim, Calif., (November 9, 2016) Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, announces The Alcon Foundation is partnering with the American Optometric Foundation (AOF), an affiliate of the Academy, to increase awareness of the importance of comprehensive eye exams for children at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting, November 9-11, 2016, in Anaheim, Calif. During the AAO meeting, The Alcon Foundation is encouraging attendees to download 2,020 Howard and the Amazing Eye Exam e-books from the Academy 2016 meeting app, which will result in a $25,000 donation to the AOF for pediatric optometric research.
The e-book is a resource for parents to help prepare children for their first visit to an eye care professional. The story revolves around Howard the Hedgehog as he tells his classmates about his visit to the eye doctor. During the meeting, The Alcon Foundation hopes to remind eye care professionals about the importance of educating parents and caregivers about the need for comprehensive eye exams for children.
“Nearly 30 million children in the U.S. have vision problems, which often go undetected and could interfere with their learning development,” said David Kirschen, OD, PhD, FAAO, President, American Optometric Foundation (AOF). “The Howard and the Amazing Eye Exam download challenge and donation to the AOF demonstrates The Alcon Foundation’s strong commitment to raising awareness around vision education and will have a lasting effect on pediatric eye health.”
The Alcon Foundation will host Howard at its booth where attendees can take pictures with him. They can also talk with co-author of the e-book, Catherine McDaniel, OD, MS, FAAO, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry and the Chief of the Pediatric Optometry Clinic at The Ohio State University – College of Optometry, about the importance of children’s eye exams and why she wrote this e-book.
“At Alcon our passion is to help people to see, look, and feel their best and we’ve sought to bring this commitment to life this year at AAO by highlighting the importance of pediatric vision and eye health,” said Rick Weisbarth, OD, FAAO, Vice President of Professional Affairs, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon, and The Alcon Foundation Board Member. “We encourage all attendees at AAO to join in and support this important initiative through a simple download of the e-book through the AAO meeting app.”
To learn more about Howard and the Amazing Eye Exam, please visit The Alcon Foundation booth – Booth 957.
About the American Optometric Foundation
The American Optometric Foundation was founded in 1947 for the “upholding, broadening, fostering, promoting and aiding of optometric education, the profession of optometry and its practitioners.” Based in Orlando, FL, AOF is a philanthropic organization devoted to the advancement of optometric education and research for improved patient care. The AOF fulfills its mission through the generous support of many donors, supporters and corporate sponsors. In 2014, the AOF provided grants, fellowships and scholarships totaling more than $400,000. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/AOF (link is external).
About The Alcon Foundation, Inc.
For over 50 years, Alcon has partnered with non-profit organizations that make a difference in advancing eye health, knowledge transfer, research and education, as well as enhancing access to quality eye care around the world. The Alcon Foundation awards grants to qualified, U.S.-based tax-exempt public 501(c)(3) charities that provide high-quality programs, trainings and community services with well-defined goals to enhance sight and enhance the lives of people who otherwise would not have access to proper eye care. For more information, visit http://www.alcon.com/corporate-responsibility/eye-care-for-everyone.aspx (link is external).
About Alcon
Alcon is the global leader in eye care. As a division of Novartis, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our products touch the lives of more than 260 million people each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors, and there are millions more who are waiting for solutions to meet their eye care needs. Our purpose is reimagining eye care, and we do this through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that enhance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.
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