School Readiness Summit - Focus on Vision News Conference and Teleconference- April 12

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Apr 07, 2011, 10:49 ET

Public Health and Education Leaders Come Together to Unveil a New National Strategy to Combat High Rates of Learning-Related Vision Problems in School-Age Children

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eye and vision problems among school-age children in the United States is an urgent national public health challenge which can directly impact a child's ability to succeed in school and later in life.

To confront and help combat this growing problem, influential advocacy organizations, educators, policy makers and parents, have come together with leading doctors in the field of pediatric eye and vision care for a two-day summit aimed at highlighting the important role that vision and eye health play in school readiness.

Emerging from the summit, these public health and education leaders will unveil a new national strategy aimed at combating high rates of learning-related vision problems in school-age children.

WHAT:	A news conference to announce a groundbreaking new national strategy developed by public health and education leaders aimed at combating high rates of eye and vision problems in school-aged children.

WHEN:	Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 2 p.m.

WHERE:	National Press Club, Bloomberg Room
	529 14th Street Northwest

DIAL IN:	An audio teleconference will be available for those unable to attend in-person. The dial-in number is 800-672-9508. No passcode is necessary.

WHO:	The American Optometric Association has assembled leading doctors in the field of pediatric eye and vision care and is working in conjunction with influential organizations, other health care providers, educators, policy makers and parents to highlight the important role that vision and eye health play in school readiness and to unveil a new national strategy to confront these critical issues.

Experts include:

Alexa Posny, Ph.D. U.S. Department of Education
Dori Carlson, O.D., President-Elect, American Optometric Association, founding member, InfantSEE® - a no-cost public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide.
Glen Steele, O.D. Professor and Chief of Pediatrics, Southern College of Optometry, past-president, College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Kirsten Thomsen, PA, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of New England Westbrook College Physician Assistant Program, former adjunct professor, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Norma Bowyer, O.D., MPH, Governing Council, American Public Health Association (APHA), member, APHA Vision Care Section.
Robin Benoit, parent and advocate, author of Jillian's Story, which tells the tale of the difficulties her daughter faced as a result of preventable vision loss. (http://www.jilliansstory.com/)
Gregory W. Hicks, O.D., Director of Professional Affairs, Hoya Vision Care, North America

RSVP: Please RSVP to Abbie PeGan, 312-202-6549 or [email protected].

*Media are also invited to the School Readiness Summit Keynote Address by Alexa Posny, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Education on Monday, April 11 at 8:45 a.m. at the Lorien Hotel, 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please RSVP to Abbie PeGan, 312-202-6549 or [email protected].

SOURCE American Optometric Association