MARCH | 2026

Webinar 1:

Clearer Futures: Identifying Eye Needs in School-Age Children

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 2-3 p.m. 

Webinar Topics:

• Recognizing and addressing vision challenges that impact student health and academic success

• Effective strategies for identifying eye care needs

• Practical approaches to promoting early detection and delivering essential vision services for all children

Presenters:

• Sara Bode, MD, Medical Director of Nationwide Children's Hospital's School Health Services 

• Angel Barajas, OD, Assistant Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY

Webinar 2

A Shared Vision: Building Community Partnerships for School-Based Eye Care Programs

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 3-4 p.m. 

Webinar Topics:

• Strengthening systems and partnerships that expand children’s vision services in schools and communities

• Effective models for integrating vision screening, referral, and follow-up care into school health programs

Presenters:

• Meagan Baker, OD, Director of Vision Services for Cherry Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

• Rebecca Chown, OD, Founder and Executive Director of Envision EyeCare for All

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY

Keratoconus Week

March 23-29

Keratoconus is an eye disease often diagnosed in teens and young adults that results in a thin, weakened cornea that becomes irregular in shape, creating a cone-like bulge, resulting in blurred vision and visual impairment. Prevent Blindness has established Keratoconus Week from March 23-29 to help everyone understand what keratoconus is, how it may be impacting sight, who is at risk, how it is treated, and to share resources. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Your Adult Eyes

Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Prevent Blindness observes Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March to provide employers and employees with important information to help keep eyes safe and healthy at work. Prevent Blindness offers a variety of free resources, including workplace eye safety fact sheets, shareable social media graphics, and a webpage.

“Digital Eye Strain,” also referred to as “Computer Vision Syndrome,” is a group of symptoms experienced when using computers or other digital devices for several hours without taking a break, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms may include dry eyes and/or irritated eyes, blurred or double vision, tearing or watery eyes, and headache.

To help avoid eye strain, Prevent Blindness recommends the following:

• Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level and choose screens that can tilt and swivel. A keyboard that you can adjust is also helpful.

• Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your digital screens can also help.

• Computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses that block blue light can help ease digital eye strain by increasing contrast. Anti-reflective lenses reduce glare and increase contrast.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

American Printing House for the Blind and the Connect Center

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to creating accessible learning and everyday living solutions that  people who are blind or have low vision to learn, work, and live independently.

Within APH, the APH ConnectCenter serves as a trusted hub of information and support, connecting individuals, families, and professionals to resources across the lifespan. FamilyConnect, a key ConnectCenter program, focuses on empowering parents and caregivers of children who are blind or have low vision through practical guidance, community connection, and reliable information.

Resources are shared through articles, blogs, webinars, toolkits, and guides curated by parents, blind adults, and field experts.

Visit www.aph.org and www.APHConnectCenter.org for additional information.

Eye Learn About

Webinar Recording Available

Did you miss the January “Eye Learn About” Lessons to Keep Children’s Eyes Healthy webinar? This webinar reviewed our three eye health lessons focused on foods to keep the eyes healthy, why children wear eyeglasses, and eye protection. The webinar featured NCCVEH Director Donna Fishman and staff from the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project.

Request Technical Assistance

Did you know that NCCVEH staff can assist you with developing a vision health system for children, writing vision screening legislation and guidelines, and answering your general questions about vision screening? Reach out to us for assistance here. 

Additional Resources

Check out a new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents. From the link: “Recommendations are provided for families, pediatric providers, practitioners (e.g., psychologists, social workers, counselors, educators, researchers), industry, and policy makers, aiming to provide strengths-based solutions and promote a more child-centered digital ecosystem.”

A new resource from Child Trends measures children’s readiness for learning. The Healthy and Ready to Learn (HRTL) measure, developed for use in the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), captures young children’s development in five domains.

Learn more here, including how your state ranks against national averages in the five domains.