Vision News and Information
Fireworks Eye Injury - A Dangerous Part of Fourth of July Festivities
Last year, approximately 6,400 Americans spent part of their Fourth of July holiday in the emergency room, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Florida has issued an informative press release concerning this impending issue. read
Prevent Bindness America has devoted a section of their Vision Resource Center to fireworks safety as it pertains to eye injury. read
Mildred Baynard Vision Resource Guide
The Robert and Mildred Baynard Trust has awarded PBF a grant to offer vision resouce services to children and adults. The trust supports children, families and communites as they stenghen conditions that propel vulnerable citizens to achieve success as individuals. This grant will allow many individuals to recieve vision screenings, eye exams and glasses. Click here for the Mildred Baynard Vision Resource Guide.
Five-Year Commemoration of Florida’s First Motorcycle Specialty Tag
Prevent Blindness Florida Among Recipients
Created in 2003, the Biker’s Care tag is Florida’s only specialty license plate for motorcycles. Since motorcycle accidents can often lead to permanent disabilities the Bikers Care tag was created to fund programs that improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities. In this time of budget adjustments, the tag is an example of how great collaboration can lead to positive financial outcomes.
Media Coverage here:
- Florida Public Radio: “Bikers at the Capitol”
http://publicbroadcasting.net/wfsu/.jukebox?action=viewMedia&mediaId=695621
- WXTL Channel 27: “Bikers Take Over the Capitol”
http://www.wtxl.com/Global/story.asp?S=8166230
- The Florida Channel:
http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/cu_web-archives.html
Prevent Blindness Florida partners with EyeSeeKids
PBF management team will partner with Dr. Bruce Miller of Pediatric Opthalmology Consultants of South Florida to create a community eye care network. The two organizations believe they can work together to promote awareness of the "EyeSeeKids" project. This project aims to improve the access to vision screening and exams for young children. More info at: http://www.eyeseekids.com/Home.htm
View Dr. Miller's video clips here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCKWmG9AELA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td4LGgqSgIk
Orange County Health Department Partnership
Since the spring of 2007, we have partnered with the Orange County Health Department to provide our free vision screening and assistance program to underserved children and adults in the Orlando community. The response from the community for vision care has been tremendous. We look forward to a continued partnership and program success in 2008, helping to ensure a healthy Orange County community.
Did you know...
Children are at special risk from the harmful effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays,since their eyes do not have the same ability as adults to protect from UV radiation. So be sure to protect their eyes with sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.
Eyes on Capitol Hill Event
February 2008
Vision care expenses continue to skyrocket. In fact, according to a recent study from Prevent Blindness America, the annual estimated cost associated with adult vision diseases in the United States is $51.4 billion. That figure includes both direct and indirect costs associated with the most common forms of vision impairments such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and refractive error.
Prevent Blindness Florida encouraged citizens to share their personal stories of vision issues with the organization. After many essay submissions, a volunteer review committee awarded scholarships to cover travel, meal and hotel expenses for more than 70 participants across the country. Those selected are allowed to bring a sighted guide and/or chaperone if visually impaired, or a parent or guardian if the delegate is a child. Applicants who were not provided a scholarship were also invited to participate at their own expense.
Florida Optometric Association
The mission of the Florida Optometric Association is to advance and promote the quality, availability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of primary eye care and related health care of Florida's citizens; to represent the profession of optometry; to enhance and promote the independent and ethical decision-making of its members; and to assist and enable optometric physicians to practice their profession in accordance with the highest standards of patient care.
Florida Society of Ophthalmology
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is a 40 year old medical association serving physicians that practice ophthalmology in the state of Florida. The mission of the society is to advocate for the practice of ophthalmology and offer continuing education specifically tailored to meet the needs of ophthalmologists in the interest of patient care.