The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) and the For Eye Care Foundation (FECF) have launched an educational campaign around “Amblyopia Awareness Month” that will bring awareness to the need for early vision screenings as well as Amblyopia, a vision issue more commonly referred to as “lazy eye”.
Amblyopia is the most common, yet preventable, cause of permanent vision loss in children. In Florida, fewer than 20 percent of preschool children are currently screened for vision problems.
“The most devastating part of diagnosing a child with vision loss is that too often, it could have been detected with and prevented with a vision screening,” said Javier Pérez, MD, FACS, Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma Specialist at Orlando Eye Specialists and President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. “Amblyopia is preventable— if its caught and treated early. We encourage all parents to take advantage of the many opportunities around the state to ensure their children are screened, diagnosed and treated if necessary.”
Because young children may not be able to express, they are having issues with their vision, the best way to ensure children are diagnosed is through regular vision screenings. Vision screenings can be done by a child’s pediatrician or ophthalmologist. Physicians recommend screenings to begin at 12-months and repeated very few years. The FSO recommends that every child between the ages of three and five be screened. Eye disorders that cause amblyopia include, but are not limited to, refractive error, misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), cataracts, corneal opacities, and tumors such as retinoblastoma.
“Early detection is key in preventing permanent visual loss. We remain committed to ensuring that parents and guardians around the state have the knowledge, resources and access to prevent vision loss in their children,” said Dr. Cano, M.D., Chair of the For Eye Care Foundation.
To learn more about the FSO’s efforts, visit: mdeye.org/amblyopia.
About the Florida Society of Ophthalmology
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology is the state’s leading advocate for providing Floridians the highest standard of eye care. The FSO’s mission is to promote and protect the medical specialty of ophthalmology through active participation in legislative advocacy and providing continuing medical education and responsible information to its members, physicians and the citizens of Florida. Please visit www.mdeye.org for more information.
About the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.
The For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. is the charitable arm of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, an organization of ophthalmologists devoted delivering the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. The For Eye Care Foundation, Inc., formed in 2010 by the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, assists other eye care organizations with community outreach and delivers important public service messages regarding eye care and disease. Please visit www.mdeye.org/foreyecare for more information.
