BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prevent Blindness - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Prevent Blindness X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://preventblindness.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prevent Blindness REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601 DTSTAMP:20260514T084757 CREATED:20251219T172948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T191610Z UID:10000084-1777593600-1780271999@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic Testing Month DESCRIPTION:Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRD) are a group of diseases that can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Identifying the genetic cause of disease is an important part of care for patients with IRDs. Educational materials\, such as a fact sheet\, expert interviews\, social media graphics\, and a dedicated webpage are made available. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/inherited-retinal-disease-genetic-testing-month-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/young-man-wearing-glasses.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260518 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260525 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T190852Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T190915Z UID:10000085-1779062400-1779667199@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Stargardt Disease Week DESCRIPTION:Stargardt disease\, also known as Stargardt macular dystrophy or juvenile macular degeneration\, is a rare inherited eye disease that causes progressive vision loss in the central part of the retina. It affects children and young adults. Prevent Blindness provides educational resources in English and Spanish on symptoms\, treatment options\, and the importance of genetic testing\, and living successfully. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/stargardt-disease-week-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/stargardt-young-adults.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T153000 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20260415T202611Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T004522Z UID:10000098-1779199200-1779204600@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Vision Policy Across the Lifespan DESCRIPTION:As the first webinar of the 2026 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Webinar Series\, this roundtable discussion will explore how partnerships can advance key policy opportunities impacting eye care across the lifespan\, including children’s vision and the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act (EDVI)\, chronic disease and access issues in working-age adults\, and healthy aging. \nThe last thirty minutes of this webinar will provide attendees with the opportunity to have informal conversations with individual panelists through breakout sessions accessible via a link that will be provided during the webinar. \nRegister Today! \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Can’t attend a webinar? Register for the event and we’ll send the webinar recording and resources links to you via email after the event. \n\n \n \nModerator: \nJosie Cooper\, Executive Director\, Alliance for Patient Access \nPanelists: \nLeela Baggett\, Esq.\, Coordinator\, Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition \nSara Everett Brown\, MPA\, Senior Director\, Government Affairs\, Prevent Blindness \nScott Haber\, MPA\, Director\, Public Health Advocacy\, American Academy of Ophthalmology \nM. Araba Otoo\, OD\, MPH\, FAAO\, Chair\, American Public Health Association Vision Care Section\, CEO\, Cherish Eyesight & Vision Inc. \n\n \n \n Moderator and Presenter Bios\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Leela Baggett\, Esq.\nCoordinator\nIndependence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition \nLeela Baggett is a Principal at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville\, where she advises healthcare providers\, practitioners\, and device manufacturers on a wide range of regulatory\, litigation\, and legislative matters. She also serves as Coordinator of the ITEM Coalition’s Low Vision Subgroup\, a national consumer- and clinician-led coalition focused on improving access to and Medicare coverage of assistive technologies for individuals with blindness and low vision. \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Josie Cooper\nExecutive Director\nAlliance for Patient Access \nJosie Cooper is executive director of the Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA)\, where she has spent the past six years leading the organization’s efforts to advance timely\, affordable access to care. Under her leadership\, AfPA has significantly expanded its footprint\, growing a national network of clinician working groups and advocacy coalitions that span more than a dozen disease areas and engage stakeholders at both the state and federal level. \nMs. Cooper oversees AfPA’s advocacy on policies that impact patient access to care\, from utilization management reform and insurance cost-sharing practices to policies shaping the future of medical innovation. Additionally\, Ms. Cooper serves as an advisor to the Vision Health Advocacy Coalition\, which advocates for patient-centered vision health policy. \nPrior to leading AfPA\, Ms. Cooper worked in grassroots mobilization and public affairs at the state and national level\, including on presidential\, Senate\, and congressional campaigns. She lives in Washington\, DC with her husband Sam and their son Ford. \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Scott Haber\, MPA\nDirector\, Public Health Advocacy\nAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology \nScott Haber is the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Director of Public Health Advocacy. He leads the development of Academy policy positions on issues relating to public health and implements federal legislative and regulatory strategies to advance Academy priorities. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and a Master of Public Administration from American University. \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Sara Everett Brown\, MPA\nSenior Director of Government Affairs\nPrevent Blindness \nSara Everett Brown is the Senior Director of Government Affairs at Prevent Blindness. Since joining Prevent Blindness in 2017\, Sara has grown the organization’s presence on Capitol Hill\, with the Administration\, and amongst stakeholder groups in pursuit of Prevent Blindness’s policy goals\, including the bipartisan Early Detection of Vision Impairments (EDVI) for Children Act\, strengthening federal investments in vision and eye health programs\, and improving access and coverage policies for eye health patients. Sara has nearly two decades of policy experience in Washington\, having begun her career as a legislative and staff aide with the U.S. Senate. A Nebraska native\, she holds degrees in English and Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a master’s degree in public administration from Walden University. \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n M. Araba Otoo\, OD\, MPH\, FAAO\nChair\, American Public Health Association Vision Care Section\nCEO\, Cherish Eyesight & Vision Inc. \nDr. Araba Otoo is an optometrist and public health professional dedicated to advancing health equity through vision care. She has experience working across the VA system\, private practice\, and Indian Health Services\, bringing a community-centered approach to improving access to eye care. \nDr. Otoo earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry and holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her work focuses on integrating public health principles into optometric practice to improve visual health literacy and expand access to care. \nShe is the founder and CEO of Cherish Eyesight and Vision Inc.\, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing disparities in vision care through education and community engagement. Through this work\, she has collaborated with organizations such as the National Keratoconus Foundation\, the World Council of Optometry\, and Seva to advance local and global eye health initiatives. Dr. Otoo currently serves as Chair of the American Public Health Association Vision Care Section\, where she leads efforts to elevate the role of vision care within the broader public health agenda. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/vision-policy-across-the-lifespan/ LOCATION:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_daTFOz-ASeO0UAKwcYhFKQ CATEGORIES:Education,Focus on Eye Health Webinar Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/foeh-featured-image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260601 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260701 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T191333Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T191434Z UID:10000086-1780272000-1782863999@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Cataract Month DESCRIPTION:Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. And\, there are more than 25.7 million Americans age 40 and older with cataracts. More than half of all Americans will have cataracts by age 80. Prevent Blindness will offer tips about prevention\, symptoms and information about surgery. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/cataract-month-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/cataract-man-glasses.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20260513T180941Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T182758Z UID:10000100-1780941600-1780954200@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:The Vision Monologues DESCRIPTION:Prevent Blindness will debut the “Vision Monologues\,” on June 8\, 2026\, at the Round House Theatre\, in Bethesda\, MD. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET. \nWritten by Jeanetta Price\, a proud\, blind advocate and ASPECT Program Manager at Prevent Blindness\, the Vision Monologues is a signature theatrical experience that blends storytelling\, advocacy\, and performance. The event features 17 monologues performed by an all-blind and low-vision cast\, along with three real-life stories shared by patient allies\, offering diverse perspectives and lived experiences. \nTickets URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/the-vision-monologues/ LOCATION:Round House Theatre\, 4545 East-West Highway\, Bethesday\, MD\, 20814\, United States CATEGORIES:Fundraising ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/vision-monologuesfeatured-image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260628 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260705 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T192807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T192807Z UID:10000087-1782604800-1783209599@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Fireworks Safety Week DESCRIPTION:Activities during this period will alert parents and children to the dangers of playing with fireworks. Prevent Blindness will offer safer ways to celebrate the Fourth of July. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/fireworks-safety-week-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fireworks-safety.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260701 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260801 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T194618Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T195555Z UID:10000088-1782864000-1785542399@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Dry Eye Month DESCRIPTION:Nearly 16 million Americans have dry eye\, which in severe cases\, may cause serious vision problems. Prevent Blindness will provide information on the condition\, including symptoms\, risk factors\, treatment option and more. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/dry-eye-month-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/dry-eye-woman.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260801 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260901 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T195523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T195523Z UID:10000089-1785542400-1788220799@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month DESCRIPTION:Included in this month will be information about eye conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus. Also included will be tips about preventing eye injuries in children\, signs of possible eye problems and general eye health. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/childrens-eye-health-safety-month-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/child-wearing-glasses.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T153000 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20260416T182448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T185150Z UID:10000099-1786024800-1786030200@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Collaborative Solutions for Expanding Eye Care Access in Special Populations DESCRIPTION:As the second webinar of the 2026 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Webinar Series\, this roundtable discussion will share practical strategies and actionable ideas for building and strengthening partnerships to advance eye care access for foster youth\, refugees\, and Tribal communities. \nRegister Today! URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/collaborative-solutions-for-expanding-eye-care-access-in-special-populations/ LOCATION:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_np-Rf0_7Qg6owB-KwZSTgA CATEGORIES:Education,Focus on Eye Health Webinar Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/foeh-featured-image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260901 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261001 DTSTAMP:20260514T084758 CREATED:20251219T200136Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T200136Z UID:10000090-1788220800-1790812799@preventblindness.org SUMMARY:Sports Eye Safety Month DESCRIPTION:There are thousands of eye injuries a year related to sports. Tips on how to protect yourself and your children from such eye injuries will be discussed. URL:https://preventblindness.org/calendar/sports-eye-safety-month-2026/ LOCATION:MD CATEGORIES:Observances,Awareness Campaigns ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pickle-ball.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR