Eye Health and Safety Observance Calendar
The Prevent Blindness Annual Eye Health and Safety Observance Calendar highlights key weeks and months throughout the year to promote a wide range of eye health and safety topics. Each month or week features awareness campaigns and educational initiatives on a specific eye health issue such as glaucoma, cataracts, and children’s eye health.
These topics will be emphasized in our social media and media outreach and on our website. The calendar serves as a resource for raising awareness, providing vital information, and encouraging preventive measures to protect vision.
Events
List of events in Photo View
Contact Lens Month
Inflammatory Eye Disease Awareness Week
Diabetes-related Eye Disease Month
Thyroid Eye Disease Awareness Week
Geographic Atrophy Week
2027 Observances
January
National Glaucoma Month
January 1-31
More than 2.8 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma. Nearly half do not know they have the disease as it causes no early symptoms. Prevent Blindness will provide insightful information about this “Sneak Thief of Sight.”
February
AMD & Low Vision Month
February 1-28
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 2 million Americans age 50 and older. Low vision aids can make the most of remaining vision. Information on eye disease warning signs and treatment will be available.
ROP Week
February 22-28
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that can happen in babies who are premature (born early), or who weigh less than 3 pounds at birth, according to the National Eye Institute. Prevent Blindness will work with partner organizations to educate families and professionals on ROP, available services and more.
March
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
March 1-31
Prevent Blindness provides employers and employees with free information on topics ranging from digital eye strain to eye safety in industrial settings, and more, in order to promote eye safety and healthy vision at work.
Keratoconus Week
March 22-28
Keratoconus is an eye disease that results in a thin, weakened cornea that becomes irregular in shape, creating a cone-like bulge, resulting in blurred vision and visual impairment. Information on causes and treatment options will be provided.
April
Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
April 1-30
More women than men develop eye disease. Pregnancy, menopause, age, and chronic conditions can affect sight. Information on women’s eye health issues and eye care access will be provided.
May
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic Testing Month
May 1-31
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.
Stargardt Disease Week
May 17-23
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. Prevent Blindness provides educational resources in English and Spanish on symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of genetic testing, and living successfully.
June
Cataract Month
June 1-30
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 cataract surgery.
Fireworks Safety Week
June 28-July 4
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.
July
Dry Eye Month
July 1-31
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 options and more.
Fireworks Safety Week
June 28-July 4
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.
August
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
August 1-31
Included in this month will be information about children’s eye conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus, myopia and refractive error. Also included will be tips about preventing eye injuries in children, signs of possible eye problems and general eye health.
September
National Healthy Aging and Vision Month
September 1-30
Prevent Blindness will join national efforts to promote healthy living and offer eye health tips, vision and eye health education, and help connect older adults to eye care. Resources on low vision and care partner support will also be provided.
October
Contact Lens Safety Month
October 1-31
Approximately 45 million U.S. residents wear contact lenses. Prevent Blindness provides tips and information on how to obtain, use and care for contact lenses safely. Halloween eye safety is also included.
Inflammatory Eye Disease Awareness Week
October 18-24
Inflammatory Eye Diseases (IED) account for 10 – 15% of legal blindness. Information will be provided on IEDs, including uveitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and thyroid eye disease.
November
Diabetes-related Eye Disease Month
November 1-30
Can people with diabetes prevent the onset of diabetic eye disease? During this observance, Prevent Blindness will offer information to help the more than 8.1 million Americans age 40 and older living with eye disease due to diabetes.
Thyroid Eye Disease Awareness Week
November 8-14
As many of 500,000 Americans have Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system causes inflammation and swelling and stimulates the production of muscle tissue and fat behind the eye. TED is most common in people with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ Disease. Prevent Blindness will provide information on TED including symptoms and treatment options.
December
Give the Gift of Sight Month
December 1-31
The Holiday season brings together families, friends and festivities. During the month of December, Prevent Blindness will encourage everyone to reflect on the joys of healthy vision and encourage support of sight-saving services.
Geographic Atrophy Awareness Week
December 6-12
Geographic Atrophy (GA) is the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which leads to vision loss in the center of one’s vision. Prevent Blindness will provide free information on the disease that affects an estimated 1 million people in the United States.
