Declaring March as "Save Your Vision Month."

WHEREAS, “Save Your Vision Month” is a national event sponsored every March by the American Optometric Association; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania College of Optometry is recognizing “Save Your Vision Month” with a vision health public awareness campaign entitled, “Defend Yourself Against the Thieves of Sight,” identified as diabetes, glaucoma and high blood pressure; and

WHEREAS, Diabetes, glaucoma and high blood pressure have been identified as the sneak thieves of sight because these diseases, which are often without symptoms in the early stages, can gradually cause irreversible damage to vision; and

WHEREAS, Diabetes, glaucoma and high blood pressure are pervasive in our society and complications from these diseases can lend to total vision loss; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 16 million people in the United States have diabetes and more than 12,000 Americans annually lose their vision to diabetic retinopathy; and

WHEREAS, 2.2 million Americans over the age of 40 have been diagnosed with glaucoma; and

WHEREAS, 35 million Americans suffer with high blood pressure; and

WHEREAS, With annual vision examinations and testing, diabetes, glaucoma and high blood can be detected in the early stages, thereby preventing and minimizing vision complications; and

WHEREAS, The official 2003 “Defend Yourself Against the Thieves of Sight” campaign kick-off in City Council will launch a series of free screenings at Regional Library Branches, Senior Citizens Centers and Community Centers; and

WHEREAS, The College of Optometry hopes that these vision screening events will encourage members of the community, especially those who fall into high risk groups, to take a proactive approach to caring for their eyes; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania College of Optometry is also participating in Vision USA, a national effort to provide free eye examinations for working persons with no health insurance, who have not had an eye examination in the last twelve month; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognize and declare March as “Save Your Vision Month” and encourage members of the community to “Arm Yourself Against the Thieves of Sight.”

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, as a sincere expression of the Council’s gratitude, appreciation and commendation for sponsoring and organizing free vision screening throughout Philadelphia during “Save Your Vision Month —2003.”

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