CVMA CO-CHAIR CONTRIBUTES TO COLLABORATIVE
POSITION STATEMENT ON CHILDREN'S VISION
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In a first-time collaboration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness have approved a joint Position Statement that underscores their shared commitment to childhood eye and vision care.
Professor Emeritus at the New England College of Optometry and Children's Vision Massachusetts (CVMA) Co-Chair, Bruce Moore, OD, co-authored the joint statement, entitled "The Relationship between Visual Acuity and Refractive Error in the Context of Preschool Vision Screening Using Instrument-Based Technology" which was recently published in the January edition of Optometry and Vision Science. The Position Statement's guidance will be crucial for state/local departments of public health and education, primary pediatric medical providers, educators, service organizations, and volunteer screening organizations who engage in vision screening services in a health or public health capacity.
In the journal's Letter to the Editor entitled "The Power of Consensus for Children's Vision" , the authors, along with Kira Baldonado, BS, Vice-President of Public Health and Policy at Prevent Blindness, explain the Position Statement was written "to rectify the misconception that a child's visual acuity can be determined from an instrument-derived estimate of refractive error obtained from a vision screening. The recent increase in the use of automated vision screening instruments has led to confusion regarding the proper method of documenting vision screening results."
The five organizations and professional associations endorsing the Position Statement call for uniformity - of practices in screenings, training of screening personnel, systems, and collaboration across all screening and eye health organizations - to ensure that all children have access to and receive quality screenings and eye examinations.
To become a Prevent Blindness Certified Vision Screener in Massachusetts, click here.
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THE JENNY POMEROY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN VISION AND PUBLIC HEALTH |
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! This award recognizes an individual, team, or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the field of public health and vision and eye health at a community, state, national, and/or international level. The award serves as a living memorial to Jenny Pomeroy, the CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996 until 2013, who brought a passionate understanding of public health to her work and the Prevent Blindness mission.
Deadline is February 5, 2021. For more information or to apply, click here.
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A CONNECTION FOR THOSE WITH GLAUCOMA |
A new comprehensive resource “The Glaucoma Community” is a free knowledge and empowerment platform providing patients with a large variety of options. The Glaucoma Community is available online via a web browser, or a mobile app.
Not only does the program provide extensive current and evidence-based information such as glaucoma risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, it is a place to connect to others experiencing glaucoma. Users have a variety of interactive features available - a news feed, the opportunity to share experiences through a chat forum, Facebook page, and reading content in seven languages.
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APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! This Prevent Blindness award recognizes an optometry student or resident, ophthalmology resident, primary health care, nursing, or other health professional student or resident in the United States who has the best essay based on a question related to the 2021 Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme: Our Changing Vision.
This year the Question to answer is:
What significant change can be made to improve equity in vision and eye health in the U.S.? Describe your reasoning.
Deadline is February 5, 2021. For more information or to apply, click here.
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OUTDOOR TIME HELPS
PREVENT MYOPIA PROGRESSION
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As most parents know, outdoor play has a positive effect on a child's overall health and wellness. In a recent article, Dr. Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA states outdoor time can also reduce the risk of, or slow progression of myopia.
Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors can also alleviate the increased time students spend viewing computer screens since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
To learn more about childhood myopia, in:
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To support the work of Children's Vision Massachusetts, please consider making a DONATION
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