Program:
Children's Vision Screening
- Budget:
-
$210,000
- Category:
-
- Population Served:
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Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Program Description:
The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington provides vision screening to preschoolers (ages 3-5) as well as screenings to older school-aged children. POB screeners screen daily and are accustomed to detecting eye issues in children, which often are very subtle. If a follow-up examination is recommended, POB provides letters to the parents in English, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. The most vital part of the POB program is the thorough follow-up that the staff performs. The POB staff members continue follow-up, often times in cooperation with the school principal or nurse, until the parent takes the child for a physician's examination. The national average for returned referrals is 30-40%. POB's returned referrals are 90%. POB is among the few programs that employ professionals to screen children and has done so since 1955.
Program Long-Term Success:
Preschool children need to be vision screened to detect unsuspected development eye problems. More than 6% of this age group has serious eye problems that threaten vision. POB's program provides vision screening to preschoolers at nursery schools and Head Start programs as well as to older children and teens, who are not presently being screened for vision problems that can lead to vision loss. If a child has a vision issue, POB can help the family to receive the help they need. A child's sight is often saved through this program, and help for vision loss prepares the child to better succeed in school and life.
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Program:
Adult Vision/Glaucoma Screening
- Budget:
-
$90,830
- Category:
-
- Population Served:
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Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
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Adults
-
General Public/Unspecified
Program Description:
The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington regularly participates in community health fairs, and awareness programs throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. POB uses visual fields machines (FDT) to screen for glaucoma. POB also conducts visual acuity screenings using the Titmus machine at health fairs.
Program Long-Term Success:
This program has alerted individuals that they are losing their vision when the loss is in its early stage and treatment can slow or stop the vision loss.
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Program:
Eyeglasses for the Needy
- Budget:
-
$276,296
- Category:
-
- Population Served:
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Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General
-
Adults
-
Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Program Description:
The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington provides close to 8,000 pairs of new eyeglasses each year to low-income and homeless persons in the D.C. area who need glasses but cannot afford to pay for them. POB's program helps by providing new eyeglasses at a nominal cost or free, depending on an individual's financial circumstances.
Program Long-Term Success:
Past experience has shown that this program is not only needed, but the provision of new glasses has an obvious effect on the ability of anyone to operate successfully in their particular life setting. Obtaining new glasses at low cost is nearly impossible. Glasses often cost $300+ for a new pair. POB allows someone in need to obtain glasses that might improve the person's work situation or scholastic achievement.
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Program:
Macular Degeneration Network
- Budget:
-
$280,624
- Category:
-
- Population Served:
-
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
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Blind and Vision Impaired
-
Physically Disabled nec
Program Description:
To help those with macular degeneration, the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington organized the Macular Degeneration Network in 1994. The Network serves several thousand people each year, but there are thousands more that could be reached. POB sponsors several on-going monthly lecture series to educate the public on macular degeneration, various other eye diseases, low vision assistance, and the research and treatment available. In addition to these on-going programs, offers several large all-day once-a year-events, such as technology fairs, health screenings, and lectures. In addition, POB offers support groups throughout the metropolitan area. These support groups provide useful information on low vision help, resources and services available. POB offers a free large-print newsletter, Your Eyes Today, which includes a calendar of events, articles, and resources. POB also has groups for those with glaucoma and Stargardt's disease.
Program Long-Term Success:
Currently, there have been a lot of media stories describing cures for macular degeneration. Although investigators are hopeful, there is no cure for macular degeneration available today. Those affected with AMD are always hungry for new hope, and often are confused by recent news reports. POB is the place that those with macular degeneration can turn for honest, hopeful, and realistic information.
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