Prevent Blindness to ring in World Sight Day 2024 with vision screenings, Congressional Briefing, and more
This year's theme, "Love Your Eyes," focuses on children's vision and eye health.
Image credit: AdobeStock/SagittariusPro
Prevent Blindness, along with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and its member organizations, will be recognizing World Sight Day with a series of events and program partnership leading up to October 10, including a free vision screening and eye health education event and an opportunity to attend a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. This year’s World Sight Day theme is “Love Your Eyes” and will focus on pediatric vision and eye health.1 The activities are planned for September 12 and will be held with support from the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, according to a news release.
“World Sight Day provides a great opportunity to align with our partners all across the globe to collectively elevate discussions and bring awareness to the importance of healthy vision and the need for access to eye care for all, especially for our children,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, in the release. “We encourage parents, professionals, lawmakers and all concerned citizens to join us for World Sight Day and make a positive difference in the lives of others through healthy eyesight.”
Among 7 scheduled speakers for the Congressional Briefing, information and updates will also be given on the recently introduced Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, which seeks to establish the first federal program for children’s vision with the goal of providing grants to states and communities to improve pediatric vision and eye health through coordinated systems of care. The act is co-sponsored by Congressional Vision Caucus cochairs US Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Marc Veasey (TX-33), and is currently endorsed by more than 90 organizations.1
In addition to these events, Prevent Blindness is partnering with the National Association of School Nurses to provide comprehensive World Sight Day toolkits to help organize “back to school night” promotion events from the perspective of pediatric eye health.1 The toolkit is available to the public and includes bookmarks, stickers, and printable hand-outs, among other materials. The kit aids in the education of families on children’s vision issues, advocates for holding screening events, and requests local and state proclamations for World Sight Day, the release said.
To learn more about or RSVP for the vision screening and eye health education event and the Congressional Briefing, visit Prevent Blindness’ website.
Reference:
Prevent Blindness launches 2024 World Sight Day activities, many dedicated to this year’s “Love Your Eyes” focus on children’s vision issues. News release. Prevent Blindness. September 3, 2024. Accessed September 5, 2024.
