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  • Reinforcing Our Mission With Stories That Inform, Inspire and Unite


    Within a month after gene therapy, Creed Pettit, diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis, could see well enough to explore the outdoors, go for walks and pick flowers.

    Every month, the Academy showcases patient stories to demonstrate the transformative value of our profession by highlighting a single patient and the life-changing care they received from Academy-member ophthalmologists.

    One patient story featured Creed Pettit, who was diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis. By age 9, his vision was so poor that he needed a high-powered flashlight to help him read, draw and find the sandwich in his lunchbox. Creed received gene therapy from Audina M. Berrocal, MD, a pediatric retinal surgeon at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Within days, the young patient could see details he had never seen before. Watch this video to learn more about Creed’s story.

    Submit your own story for consideration.

    Amplifying our voice with award-winning public awareness campaigns

    The Academy’s public awareness campaigns are highly celebrated for demonstrating the value of medical and surgical eye care and promoting the Academy’s role as the leading association for the profession. PR News’ annual Platinum PR & Agency Elite Awards honored two of the Academy’s key public relations campaigns. The campaign to increase eye safety during a solar eclipse won in the nonprofit category, while the animated video feature, Eight Steps to Protect Your Sight From Contact Lens Infections, ran up against entries from Microsoft and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and received an honorable mention.

    “It was thrilling to see the Academy recognized among the nation’s top companies and associations this year,” said Dianna L. Seldomridge, MD, MBA, the Academy's Secretary for Communications. “It’s gratifying to see the Academy’s public outreach campaign continually recognized for excellence.”

    The Academy was mentioned more than 32,000 times in the media. Many of these news accounts feature commentary from Academy physician spokespeople, in notable outlets that include: CNN, Forbes, The Washington Post, New York Post and Chicago Tribune. Putting our experts at the forefront of eye health news allows us to assure that the public is receiving the most up-to-date and accurate information, resulting in better-informed patients.

    Extending our social media reach

    The Academy’s social media strategy includes public- and member-focused content across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. In 2018, the Academy made its debut on Instagram. Our Instagram content includes images and videos about ophthalmologists and their patients as well as information about the importance of protecting vision and preventing eye disease. This communications strategy demonstrates how the Academy is using social media to reinforce the importance of ophthalmology to the public.