FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2024
Contact:
Jennifer Fennell
(850) 597-0057
Florida Society of Ophthalmology Launches Annual “Amblyopia Awareness Month” Educational Campaign
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) and the For Eye Care Foundation (FECF) have launched an educational campaign recognizing August 2024 as Amblyopia Awareness Month. The goal of the education campaign is to bring awareness to the importance and need for early vision screenings, which can detect serious vision problems like amblyopia.
Amblyopia (sometimes referred to as “lazy eye”) is the most common, yet preventable, cause of permanent vision loss in children. Early vision screenings are critical in detecting amblyopia and other vision threatening disorders like retinoblastoma tumors, cataracts, and strabismus. Screenings improve treatment outcomes, especially if the disorder is detected before a child reaches five years of age. Unfortunately, more than 80 percent of Florida students do not receive vision screenings prior to enrollment in preschool.
“Early detection of vision disorders like amblyopia is key in preventing permanent visual loss. We are committed to shining a light on the importance of early vision screening to ensure every child gets the best start in life,” said FSO President Raquel Goldhardt, MD, FACS.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends vision screenings conducted by a pediatrician or ophthalmologist starting at 12-months. Additionally, the AAO has released a recommended age appropriate schedule of screenings that parents and guardians can follow.
“Early childhood is a critical period in a child’s development, with sight being one of most important senses children utilize to see and experience their world. I encourage all parents and guardians to have their child’s eyes screened for vision disorders, particularly as we approach the new school year,” said Laura B. Sims, MD, Chair of the For Eye Care Foundation.
Along with their annual education campaign, the FSO and FECF work with community partners across the state to ensure parents and guardians have access to free and easy vision screenings.
To learn more about the FSO’s efforts, visit: mdeye.org/amblyopia.
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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.
