Founded in 1936, the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB), the largest local prevention of blindness agency in the United States, is dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation. POB screens nearly 8,000 children annually for vision loss and strabismus, and 5,000 adults for glaucoma. POB also serves nearly 8,000 low-income and homeless persons at its eyeglasses clinic. POB sponsors the Aging Eye Network, the Macular Degeneration Network and Stargardt's Network.

Services
Each year POB screens nearly 8,000 children for visual acuity and strabismus, and more than 5,000 adults for glaucoma and vision loss. These services cover a wide range of needs, sometimes resulting in early detection and treatment that could prevent or slow vision loss, and provide new eyeglasses to low-income and homeless persons at a nominal fee.

Education
Since the number of older persons facing vision problems has grown dramatically in recent years, POB has developed a number of programs to assist the older person in understanding their vision and in dealing with possible vision loss.

POB offers programs to help educate the public about eye health and vision loss, including early detection methods and prevention. Educational efforts include support and share groups; community health fairs and awareness programs; and children and adult screening programs.

Detecting vision loss at the earliest stage possible gives the patient the greatest chance of preventing blindness and restoring sight. For this reason, POB seeks to provide the public with the latest eye health and low vision resources to help them make informed decisions. Through workshops, speakers, a Web site (www.youreyes.org), the Look Again clinic (202-269-0203), print publications and media involvement, POB reaches out in multiple ways with sight-saving information.

Advocacy
Health is a political issue. Government offiicials make decisions everyday about health issues that affect our lives. POB's advocacy efforts work in concert with its service and education initiatives, and rely on the combined efforts of a community-based, grassroots network of people with low vision, their friends and families; volunteers and staff; health care professionals; public health organizations; and other collaborative partners.

Innovation
POB continually seeks to identify and meet the emerging needs of our community, and to meet the evolving needs of the organization. The annual Night of Vision charity gala helps raise awareness and funds to support community programs through a silent auction. Many of the sight-saving programs are also supported through the operation of POB's three resale shops located in Alexandria, Va., Kensington, Md., and Washington, D.C. Donations are accepted through the Combined Federal Campaign and United Way.