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, “Set Your

S.I.G.H.T.

on Eye Care”, a campaign that encourages the public to undertake specific actions to prevent vision loss; and

WHEREAS, Vision can be protected by;

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cheduling annual eye examinations

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ntroducing a child to the importance of vision safety

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etting to know your family history

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andling your eyewear with utmost care

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aking changes in your vision seriously; and

WHEREAS, The number of blind individuals in the United States exceeds one million; and

WHEREAS, The causes of blindness are numerous, but individuals can implement preventive steps to reduce the risk of vision loss; and

WHEREAS, Uncorrected refractive error, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, trachoma, trauma, and other conditions do not have to result in loss of vision; and

WHEREAS, When the public is observing the

S.I.G.H.T.

mandates, the chances of identifying vision conditions early and preventing eye injury are increased; and

WHEREAS, The official 2004 “Set your

S.I.G.H.T.

on Eye-Care” campaign kick-off in City Council will launch a series of free screenings at Regional Free Library Branches, Senior Citizens Centers, and community centers; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania College of Optometry hopes that these free 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 months; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes March as “Save Your Vision Month” and encourages members of the community to “Set Your

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on Eye Care.”

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” 2004.

End