CHICAGO—For the second year in a row, Prevent Blindness and the National Optometric Association have declared August Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month. As children and parents gear up for the back to school season, Prevent Blindness and NOA aim to educate parents and caregivers on what steps they can take to ensure that their children and students are getting the eyecare they need. 2019 also marks the 10th anniversary of the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness. The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness is offering their newly revised Guide to Vision Health for Your Newborn, Infant, and Toddler at no cost. This guide features information on various topics related to children’s vision including common milestones for visual development, how to help your baby’s vision to develop, warning signs of possible vision problems, and more.

In addition, Prevent Blindness’ partner OCuSOFT will make a donation to Prevent Blindness in support of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month.

Dr. Sherrol A. Reynolds, president of the NOA, associate professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, and volunteer member of the Prevent Blindness Scientific Advisory Committee, said, “By diagnosing and treating vision problems early, we can actually help prevent vision loss later in life. Vision is so instrumental in how a child develops, that by ensuring all of our children have access to quality eyecare services, we are helping build a brighter future.”

A child may be at higher risk of developing a vision problem if they:

Were born prematurely (less than 32 weeks completed gestation).

Have a family history of vision disorders, such as childhood cataract, amblyopia (may also be called lazy eye), misaligned eyes, eye tumors, or wore glasses before first grade.

Have had an eye injury (problems resulting from childhood eye injuries may develop much later in life).

Have been diagnosed with a problem that could affect his or her physical, mental and/or, emotional development.