Prevent Blindness America Launches Most Beautiful Eyes Contest

Children across the United States have a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship and become the face of the Star Pupils program

CHICAGO, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prevent Blindness America, the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, today announced the launch of the "Most Beautiful Eyes Contest." The contest allows children across the United States the chance to become the face of the Star Pupils program in 2012 and win a $25,000 scholarship.

From July 18 through August 31st, 2011, parents of children ages zero to 17 are encouraged to enter their child in the Prevent Blindness America Most Beautiful Eyes Contest by submitting a photo to the Prevent Blindness America Facebook page at facebook.com/preventblindness. The program is designed to support the Star Pupils program, the signature vision and education platform for Prevent Blindness America. The contest is sponsored by Marchon Eyewear, Advantica, Eagle Eyes® Optics, and Real Kids Shades (RKS).

For the entire month of September, the public will be encouraged to place online votes for their choice of the child with the most beautiful eyes. The first 50 entries will receive a free pair of RKS Sunglasses.  Each state will have one winner (void where prohibited), which will advance to the second round of voting.  All state winners will receive a free pair of Eagle Eyes Optics Astro and Rocketeer Sunglasses for kids plus a Kids' Fisher® Space Pen. Celebrity judges, including legendary broadcaster Larry King, Baltimore Orioles player Derrek Lee and former astronaut Walter Cunningham will then select three finalists and the contest winner.

The three finalists and their families will enjoy a weekend in Chicago to attend the Prevent Blindness America Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, November 18, 2011, where the overall winner will be announced. In addition to a $25,000 scholarship, the winner will become the face of the Star Pupils program for 2012. The second prize winner will receive a $4,000 scholarship, followed by third place to receive a $2,000 scholarship.

"Our Most Beautiful Eyes Contest is a fun, positive way to make a big difference in a child's life," said Hugh R. Parry, Prevent Blindness America president and CEO. "We continually stress the role that vision plays in a child's learning and now, not only are we bringing this awareness to parents, we can also help parents support their child's education with the Star Pupils scholarship. We are excited that we can truly make a difference in the future of these children, starting now."

Millions of children with vision problems across the country do not have access to vision care or may not realize they have a vision problem, which can impact their education and lead to problems later in life. But vision problems can be solved with a visit to an eye care professional. Star Pupils seeks to help five million kids become star pupils through preventive vision care.

For more information about the Most Beautiful Eyes contest or general children's eye health and safety, or to make a donation to the Star Pupils program, please visit preventblindness.org, facebook.com/preventblindness or call (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness America
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America 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 America 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, divisions and chapters, Prevent Blindness America 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.

SOURCE Prevent Blindness America