News

Covid-19 Update and Children’s Vision News

Do you know a children’s vision advocate? 

Nominate them for the 2020 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award from the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness. The award honors an individual or group making significant contributions to the field of children’s vision and eye health.

Find more information and the nomination form


Join Prevent Blindness for our virtual Focus on Eye Health National Summit

Our premier Summit is going virtual on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 from Noon – 3pm Eastern.

Find out more


Covid-19 Resource Links

We at the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health hope that you are healthy and safe.  This newsletter offers resources on the Covid-19 virus, children’s vision and eye health, and more general resources for parents and professionals to use during this difficult time. Please note that the newsletter contains links that may take viewers to an external source. Prevent Blindness is not responsible for the content or functionality of external source websites.

Information on Covid-19 and the eyes

Prevent Blindness’s statement on eye care during Covid-19

Allergies, Covid-19 and the eyes


Looking for guidelines for vision screening when your early childhood education, schools and other program re-open?

We at the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness are collaborating with our national partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to develop parent/caregiver education, vision screening, and referral protocols based on best practices during COVID-19.  We will circle back when our guidance work is completed. In the interim, do not hesitate to contact us with additional questions to help ensure we answer all questions from the field.


Covid-19 Resources for Professionals from our partners

CDC Guidance for Childcare Programs that Remain Open

AAP guidance on providing pediatric ambulatory services via telehealth during COVID-19

Information from the National Association of School Nurses

Teaching Children and Families Regarding COVID-19 from the National Association of School Nurses

Information from the Health Resources and Services Administration


Resources for families and caregivers

Eye Safety

Now that summer is almost here and home-schooling is almost done, it’s time to think about keeping your children’s (and your own) eyes safe in the sun, over 4th of July and in your home.

Check out our Prevent Blindness resources:

Home and Toy Eye Safety for Children

Protecting your eyes from the sun

Sports eye safety

Fireworks safety


Resources from our partners

Keeping eyes healthy: Many children are spending more and more time in front of screens for learning:  the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers recommends for easing eye strain, including the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Use the 20-20 RuleVisit the AAO for more tips.

Please share these Prevent Blindness graphics with your network.

Use the 20-20 Rule


Guidance from the CDC

Children 2 years and older should wear a cloth face covering their nose and mouth when in the community setting.

Keeping Children Healthy While School’s Out

The CDC offers tips for keeping your children safe over the summer

Did you know that nutrition is important for keeping your eyes healthy? 

Check out these recipes you can try at home

Keeping children’s bodies healthy

Healthy Schools Campaign offers resources on nutrition and fitness for your children

Talking with your child about Covid-19

Information from PBS

Resources for talking with children about the virus and many activity ideas while children are at home

Information from the Association of Child Life Professionals

Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from Covid-19

Information from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) 

See the document in other languages:
Spanish
Chinese
Korean
Amharic

Accessible Education Resources for children with low vision

From the American Association for the Blind

For parents who are homeschooling children with visual impairment

If you have news items for our next newsletter, please forward them to Donna Fishman, NCCVEH Director, at [email protected].