Our Mission is to Prevent Blindness and Preserve Sight…
Prevent Blindness Ohio is celebrating 50 years as Ohio's leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. Founded in 1957 by U.S. Senator John Bricker and Lion's Club Member, Bob Morrison with support from Nationwide, the Ohio Department of Health and Delta Gamma Fraternity, PBO serves all 88 Ohio counties. We provide direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and educate millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. Prevent Blindness Ohio is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the country's second-oldest national voluntary health organization.
From the beginning, Prevent Blindness Ohio’s mission has remained steadfast – to prevent blindness and preserve sight. Our goal is to prevent the 50% of vision loss that is needless and help all Ohioans enjoy good sight for life!
Some of our historical landmarks include:
195: Senator John Bricker and Lion Bob Morrison ask friends statewide to help create an Ohio affiliate of Prevent Blindness America.
1958: First annual meeting of the Ohio affiliate.
1959: First Ohio Glaucoma Screening is conducted with the Lions Club.
1963: Ohio becomes first state to pass School Eye Safety Law, now adopted by most states.
1977: Glaucoma Alert Program launched.
1984: PBO opens glaucoma screening clinic.
1989: Southwest Ohio Chapter formed.
1991: First Vision Care Outreach Program initiated in Columbus which provides access to donated professional eye care for the medically indigent. VCO programs located across the state now serve over 6,000 needy adults and children annually.
1993: Northeast Ohio Chapter formed.
1997: Ohio Eye Care Coalition defeats fireworks bill.
1999: Save Our Sight Initiative (HB 756), led by PBO with 20 partners, provides for a $1+ Ohio motor vehicle registration voluntary donation check-off. Funds raised are invested in expansion of vision care services for children.
2000: Dayton office opens as satellite division of Southwest Ohio Chapter. Wise About Eyes, an interactive children’s eye health and safety exhibit developed by PBO premiers to 37,000 visitors at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton.
2002: Northwest Ohio Chapter Office opens in Toledo.
2003: Aging Eye Public Private Partnership formed by a proclamation from Ohio Governor Bob Taft and supported by the Ohio Department of Aging.
PBO is one of only 3 nonprofits among Ohio’s 37,000 nonprofit organizations to be awarded the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Standards of Excellence Seal.
2006: Young Investigators Student Fellowship Award for Female Scholars in Vision Research Program is launched and six vision research fellowship awards are presented to outstanding female scientists.
2007: PBO celebrates its 50th Anniversary of saving sight in Ohio.
Today: PBO provides direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and educates millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight.
Prevent Blindness Ohio is affiliated with Prevent Blindness America, the nation's second oldest voluntary health organization.
Prevent Blindness Ohio serves all 88 counties with offices in Northeast Ohio, Northwest Ohio and Southwest Ohio.
Contact us for more information.
|
