Recognizing the Month of 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, “Don’t Turn A Blind Eye: Get to Know Your Risk Factors For Eye Diseases,” a campaign that encourages the public to protect the health of their eyes by learning their individual risk factors and getting regular eye examinations; 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, By getting to know your individual risk factors based on your age, gender, ethnic background, family history, weight and other medical conditions, you can learn the symptoms of eye diseases that could rob you of sight before it’s too late; and

WHEREAS, When members of the public “Don’t Turn A Blind Eye: Get to Know Your Risk Factors For Eye Diseases,” the chances of identifying debilitating vision conditions early on and preventing eye injury are increased; and

WHEREAS, WDAS has joined with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry as our media sponsor to help promote the importance of preventive eye care; and

WHEREAS, The official 2007 “Don’t Turn A Blind Eye: Get to Know Your Risk Factors For Eye Diseases,” campaign kick-off in City Council will launch a series of free screenings at senior citizens centers, community centers, and educational institutions; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania 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; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes March as “Save Your Vision Month” and asks that members of the public “Don’t Turn a Blind Eye: Get to Know Your Risk Factors for Eye Diseases.”

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 – 2007.”

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