Prevent Blindness Asks Parents to Put Their Children on the Path to a Successful School Year with a Complete Eye Exam

Prevent Blindness Declares August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month to Educate Public on the Importance of Healthy Vision for Kids

CHICAGO (July 14, 2016) – To help put children on the path to a successful school year, Prevent Blindness urges parents to take their child for a complete eye exam from an eyecare professional. Prevent Blindness has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month to inspire parents to make their child’s vision health a priority.

According to data from The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) report, “Children’s Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National Issues,” visual functioning is a strong predictor of academic performance in school-age children. In addition, uncorrected refractive errors in infants and preschool-age children are associated with developmental delays, as well as with clinically identified deficits in cognitive and visual-motor functions that may in turn affect school readiness. Vision problems can be treated successfully if detected early. Vision screenings along with complete eye examinations are two critical ways to identify possible vision problems and get children connected to treatment.

Unfortunately for many families, cost and access to eye care is a limiting issue. The Affordable Care Act mandates that all plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace include vision coverage for children. In most states, that includes one comprehensive eye exam and one pair of eyeglasses. Prevent Blindness offers additional information and a free fact sheet, “The Affordable Care Act and Your Child's Eyes.” Or, visit the Prevent Blindness Vision Care Financial Assistance Information resource.

Vision requirements for school enrollment vary by state. The Children’s Vision and Eye Health report also includes information about state legislation for vision screening and/or mandated eye exams. “Keeping children’s eyes healthy has been part of our organization’s mission from more than 100 years,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our goal is to provide parents and teachers with the tools and information they need to help ensure the vision health of our kids today and well
into their future.”

To support children’s vision programs, OCuSOFT Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company dedicated to innovation in eyelid hygiene and ocular health, has agreed to donate 10 percent of all online sales to Prevent Blindness during August’s Children’s
Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month.

For more information on children’s eye health and safety, the NCCVEH, or eye care assistance programs, please call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org.

About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and
safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on
promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of
people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision
screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These
services are made possible through the generous support of the American
public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to
eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a
contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at
preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.

About OCuSOFT, Inc.
OCuSOFT, Inc. is a privately-held Richmond, TX USA-based ophthalmic research,
development and supply company with an established reputation for innovation,
particularly in the area of Ocular Surface Disease (OSD). Since 1986, OCuSOFT®
served the ophthalmic industry with a unique selection of proprietary brands. A pioneer
in ophthalmology, OCuSOFT® introduced the first eyelid cleanser, the first topical
anesthetic gel, the first “leave-on” antibacterial eyelid cleaner, the first supplement to
enhance botulinum toxin injections and the first fourth generation preservative-free
ophthalmic emulsion eye drop. Today, the company is most recognized for its #1 Doctor
Recommended Brand of Eyelid Cleansers, OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub®, in addition to its
standing as the preferred distributor of ophthalmic products and supplies by eye care
professionals. For more information, please call 800-233-5469 or visit
www.ocusoft.com.

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