Sports Eye Safety Month
ISPB and Prevent Blindness Illinois (PBIL) have once again declared September as Sports Eye Safety Month to educate the public on the risk of painful and potentially blinding eye injuries while playing sports without the proper eye protection. Prevent Blindness HAS RELEASED NEW DATA that shows there were more than 32,600 sports-related eye injuries treated in the United States in 2023.
Types of sports-related eye injuries include blunt trauma, including retina tears or detachment, penetrating injuries, corneal scratches and abrasions. Some eye infections are contracted through water sports, with contact lens wearers at higher risk.
We recommend that athletes wear eye guards when participating in sports as prescription glasses, sunglasses and even occupational safety glasses do not provide adequate protection. Athletes, or parents of children participating in sports, should always consult an eye care professional to determine the best kind of eye protection for their sport and medical needs.
For more information visit HERE
Prevent Blindness Presentation on Mental Health Care for Blind Clients
September 24th 12:00 – 1:15pm Central Time
Prevent Blindness’ Director of Patient Advocacy and Public Health Initiatives, Julie Grutzmacher, MPH, MSW, will be joined by Shervonne Poleon, Ph.D, a recognized consultant, speaker and clinical psychologist with lived experience of age-related macular degeneration. They will speak on considerations for the clinician who plans to, is currently seeking, or is unfamiliar with blind patients for psychotherapy, counseling, or medication management
To register visit HERE
World Sight Day 2024
This year’s events kick off on September 12th on Capitol Hill, with a vision screening and Congressional Briefing aimed at bringing attention to children’s vision and the Early Detection of Vision Impairment for Children Act (EDVI). There will also be screening and education event all across the country!
For more information visit HERE
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, conferences, and screenings!
October 4, 2024
9:00am – 12:00pm
Alderman Cardona Senior Health & Resource Fair
2465 N Lamon Ave Chicago, IL
October 5-6, 2024
all day
IOA Conference
701 E Adams St Springfield, IL
October 9, 2024
2:00pm – 5:00pm
World Sight Day Vision Screening
1 Takeda Parkway Deerfield, IL
October 10, 2024
time tbd
World Sight Day Vision Screening
225 W Wacker Drive Chicago, IL
For more information, please contact rbarraza@preventblindness.org
Be a Voice for Vision: Sign Up for Advocacy Alerts from Prevent Blindness
Prevent Blindness regularly issues email alerts when there is an opportunity for advocates to contact legislators in Congress with sight-saving policy and legislative updates. Advocates who are interested in making their voices heard can register with their email address at the Prevent Blindness Legislative Action Center. Advocates who register will also receive bi-monthly advocacy news and policy updates from Prevent Blindness.
If you have any questions, please email advocacy@preventblindness.org. Thank you for your commitment to preventing blindness and preserving sight!
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