World Sight Day is October 12

SAN FRANCISCO –The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO) today announced their participation in VISION 2020’s World Sight Day through the “Sign up for Sight Initiative.” World Sight Day will take place on October 12, 2006.  As a part of this awareness campaign, the organizations are working together to collect signatures in a show of the international support for tackling avoidable blindness.

In recognition of the fact that 100 million people will needlessly go blind by the year 2020 unless joint global action is taken now, the organizations are asking individuals to add their name to VISION 2020's petition at: www.aao.org/worldsightday.cfm

On October 12, all of the petition names will be collected and submitted to VISION 2020. Those who add their name to VISION 2020's petition will be taking a stand against avoidable blindness.  More information on VISION 2020 can be found at www.v2020.org

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.

About the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Established in 1980, the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology has worked diligently for more than 25 years to raise financial support and implement programs that advance ophthalmic education and patient care. The programs created through the Academy Foundation’s efforts ensure the best possible eye care for the public. The FAAO raises funds that are used to provide access to eye care for medically underserved communities in the United States, help improve eye care in developing countries through education, and preserve the history of ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. More information can be found at: www.faao.org

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Media Contact: Allison Neves, Communications Manager, Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 415.561.8518, aneves@aao.org