interior December 2023 Newsletter From ISPB & PBIL banner image

December 2023 Newsletter From ISPB & PBIL



Give the gift of sight!

December is give the gift of sight month here at ISPB/PBIL. Become a sight-saver by donating today! 

To make a donation visit eyehealthillinois.org/donate



Geographic Atrophy (GA) Awareness Week (December 4-10, 2023)

GA is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The symptoms are listed above. If you experience any of these symptoms, see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Prevent Blindness offers a variety of free, educational resources such as a dedicated webpage, expert videos, and fact sheets

For more information visit preventblindness.org/2023-geographic-atrophy-ga-week/


NEIU Student Health Fair held on November 14, 2023

Community Happenings

Our staff, team of interns, and volunteers provide eye health education and outreach at all types of community events – including health fairs, presentations and screenings!

We will be continuing our efforts during these dates:

January 18, 2024
1:00pm – Embrace Living Community Presentation: Chicago, IL

April 30, 2024
1:00pm -Senior Eye Health Presentation: Park Ridge, IL

For more information, please contact rbarraza@preventblindness.org




Copyright © 2017 Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness

Contact Us
Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness | https://eyehealthillinois.org/
Prevent Blindness Illinois https://preventblindness.org/contact-us/




November 2023 Newsletter From ISPB & PBIL



ISPB and PBIL have once again declared November as Diabetes-related Eye Disease Awareness Month, providing the public with a variety of helpful tools to prevent unnecessary vision loss from diabetes. 

DIABETES + THE EYES EDUCATIONAL TOOLKIT is available in English and Spanish. This resource includes Power Point presentations, shareable social media graphics and A DEDICATED WEBPAGE. The Diabetes + The Eyes program is supported by funding from REGENERON.

DIABETES + THE EYES: VISION HEALTH IN YOUTH FACT SHEET
This new resource provides detailed information on what parents and care partners need to know to help youth with diabetes protect their eye health.


2023 Chicago Lighthouse 5k

Community Happenings

Our staff, team of interns, and volunteers provide eye health education and outreach at all types of community events – including health fairs, presentations and screenings!

We will be continuing our efforts during these dates:

January 18, 2024
1:00pm – Embrace Living Community Presentation: Chicago, IL

For more information, please contact rbarraza@preventblindness.org


Prevent Blindness is collaborating with Regeneron on the Gr8 eEye Movement! Use the 8th of every month, to check on your vision health. 

To find out more, visit HERE


Copyright © 2017 Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness

Contact Us
Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness | https://eyehealthillinois.org/
Prevent Blindness Illinois https://preventblindness.org/contact-us/




December is Give the Gift of Sight Month

We cannot do all of our wonderful work without your help! Please consider giving a gift to ISPB this holiday season.

My Retina Tracker Genetic Testing Program

Do you have a clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) and live in the United States and/or the US territories? The Foundation Fighting Blindness, in partnership with Blueprint Genetics and InformedDNA®, offers an open access, no-cost genetic testing program. Please visit their site to find out if you are eligible.

The program offers people with an IRD access to the highest quality genetic testing and genetic counseling. Although it is not required for participation, this program offers an easy opportunity to join the My Retina Tracker Registry. This gives individuals the opportunity to contribute to research and development, and the opportunity of being contacted about relevant clinical trials.

The program provides patients with a 322-gene panel targeting relevant genes associated with IRD. Unique features of the panel include the entire mitochondrial genome, full RPGR coverage, high-resolution copy number variant detection and comprehensive coverage of IRD related non-coding variants. The program offers no-charge genetic counseling.

Ordering is easy through Blueprint’s online portal, Nucleus. Results can be viewed in Nucleus approximately 4 weeks after Blueprint Genetics receives the sample.

New Resources for Reducing Eye Strain from Screens

In response to increased virtual and screen-based activities during the coronavirus pandemic, ISPB and Prevent Blindness Illinois have launched a new awareness campaign,, Take a Screen Time Out. All of us, including children, are spending as much as 12 hours a day in front of a digital screen. Find out more at Prevent Blindness.

Tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology include:

  • Use artificial tears to refresh eyes when they feel dry. 
  • Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
  • Wear prescribed computer eyeglasses that allow eyes to focus specifically at computer screen distance (intermediate distance, which is about 20 to 26 inches away from the face).
  • Adjust screen brightness to match the level of light in the room. 
  • Increase the contrast on the screen to reduce eye strain.
  • Use a glare screen on the device.
  • Sit about 25 inches from the screen and adjust the screen height to look slightly downward.