Virginia Kettering Grants PBO $12,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:

Prevent Blindness

Whitney Anderson

Phone: (800) 301-2020 ext. 105

E-mail:[email protected]

 

               Project To Provide Vision Education And Services To Senior Populations In Montgomery And Miami Counties

DAYTON, OH (Dec. 11, 2017) – The Miami Valley Ohio Chapter of Prevent Blindness received a $12,000 grant from The Virginia W. Kettering Foundation to deliver its EyeWatch Program in Montgomery and Miami Counties.

The goal of PBO’s EyeWatch Program is to decrease the incidence of preventable vision loss among Ohio’s high-risk adult populations through promotion of healthy lifestyles, early detection and treatment.

“The Virginia W. Kettering Foundation is a long-time valued partner of Prevent Blindness and we are honored to work together again to improve the visual quality of life for seniors in the Miami Valley,” said Sherry Williams, President and CEO of the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness. “EyeWatch is essential as it addresses multiple health needs.”

With the aging population growing and increasing incidence of diabetes, the prevalence of eye disease and vision loss is a significant public health and personal concern.  Blindness and vision impairment affect one’s ability to drive, read, work, learn, stay active in the community, and take care of household tasks. Declines in these abilities can lead to social isolation, depression and increased risk of falls and injuries that, unfortunately, can create an emotional and economic toll on individuals and families.

PBO will continue to partner with Montgomery and Miami County senior centers, social service organizations and healthcare facilities and provide their staff and volunteers with training to prepare them to deliver eye health education presentations and vision screenings to area residents. Disadvantaged area residents failing the vision assessment will be connected with PBO’s voluntary system of comprehensive vision services to receive further eye care and eyewear at no cost.

Additionally, EyeWatch provides access to eye health education resources, services, and programming for high-risk populations through vision screening events, community health education seminars, and health education displays to increase consumer awareness about the importance of healthy habits.

Please contact PBO at 800-301-2020 to connect with the Montgomery and Miami County EyeWatch Program.

About Prevent Blindness

Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate, founded in 1957, is Ohio’s leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to prevent blindness and preserve sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 1,000,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. Prevent Blindness Ohio is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the country’s second-oldest national voluntary health organization. For more information or to make a contribution, call 800-301-2020.  Or visit us on the web at www.pbohio.org or facebook.com/pbohio.