Free Vision Screenings
Vision screening calendar. April 2008 - May 2008
 On Feb 7th, PBF management team met with Dr. Bruce Miller of Pediatric Opthalmology Consultants of South Florida to discuss a future partnership. 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 yong children. More info at: http://www.eyeseekids.com/Home.htm
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.
 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.
 Fun was had by all on Sunday!! And all for a good cause.
Delegates selected for
Prevent Blindness Florida's third annual
Eyes on Capitol Hill event
Prevent Blindness Florida and Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, and 3 Florida residents served as delegates for the “Eyes on Capitol Hill” campaign held in Washington, DC.on Feb. 12-14, 2008.
Eyes on Capitol Hill is a program designed to give constituents who have been affected by vision loss an opportunity to discuss vision issues with their respective government representatives. In addition, delegates will also learn how to become effective advocates for vision health in their own state after returning home. 
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.
“As we enter in a period of potential economic slowdown, we need to educate our nation’s leaders on the importance of cost-effective funding for vision care programs and initiatives,” said Jay Tobin, president and chief executive officer of Prevent Blindness Florida. “Half of all blindness is preventable but our citizens must have access to those blindness prevention services.”
 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.
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.
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