© 2024 Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Sage Communications
Each year, POB impacts approximately 13,000 community members through our evidence-based programs — including vision acuity and glaucoma screenings, eyeglasses distributions and fittings, educational vision resources and events, low vision rehabilitation services and support group networks, and more. We remain committed to comprehensive vision health, ethical service within the community, deep respect for individuals and families in all circumstances, innovation in service delivery, and serving as a facilitator among our medical and social service peers.
Our organization serves the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties of Maryland.
POB began on June 9, 1936 as the D.C. Society for the Prevention of Blindness, whose seven-point program aimed to bring eye health information and vision screenings to the local community.
POB’s history begins with the story of May (Collins) Vories, a New Orleans native and committed advocate for the visually impaired. When Mrs. Vories arrived in Washington, D.C., she sought to bring evidence-based blindness prevention and eye health information to our community. She established the D.C. Society for the Prevention of Blindness in collaboration with Dr. William H. Wilmer, who was founding director of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Medicine — the nation’s first university eye clinic.
POB’s original seven-point program consisted of: adequate prenatal care; enactment of a bill to prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum; appointment of a school oculist; preschool vision tests for children; a medical social worker in the Society’s eye clinic; providing general information on eye health; and creating an industrial and sight survey. By 1946, a vision screening program was implemented for all 9,000 children in D.C. parochial schools.
After more than 85 years, POB remains committed to creating, expanding, and adapting our vital services based on the needs of our community. We serve as Greater Washington’s vision health leader and educator, dedicated not only to blindness prevention, but to the improvement and preservation of sight and quality of life for all community members.
Although our financial report is always sent free to anyone requesting a copy, certain states require us to advise you that a copy of our financial report is available from them.
The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (“POB”) is a District of Columbia not-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight and quality of life by providing services and education, and by championing healthy vision and innovation to everyone in our area. Our Headquarters is located at 415 2nd Street NE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002. Your gift is very much appreciated and tax-deductible as a charitable organization to the fullest extent allowed by law. A copy of POB’s latest financial report may be obtained by writing to POB, 415 2nd Street NE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002, or by calling (202) 234-1010. If you are a resident of the following states, you may also obtain information through these channels:
Maryland: Copies of documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are available for the cost of copies and postage from the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401, 1-410-974-5534.
Virginia: A financial statement for the most recent fiscal year is available upon request from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209; 1-804-786-1343.
Registration with a state agency does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by that state.
Nick Farano
Senior Director, Development and Marketing
nfarano@youreyes.org
(202) 234-1010, ext. 224
Thank you for considering POB in your search for a new professional opportunity. We are looking for people who are committed to our organization’s mission and will help us grow. As part of POB, you’ll be a champion for vision support in our local community.
POB offers a competitive and comprehensive array of benefits, giving you the flexibility to choose plan options that will best accommodate you and your family’s needs. Highlights of our employee benefits include:
© 2024 Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Sage Communications