CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit eye health and safety organization, has announced the recipient of the 2024 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is Mission for Vision (MFV), a non-profit organization focused on social initiatives in health, education and poverty alleviation. Erica Shelton, OD, MS, FAAO, clinical instructor and PhD candidate, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, has been named as the recipient of the fifth annual Rising Visionary Award. Both award recipients will be honored at the 13th Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit, to be held as a virtual interactive event, on July 10-11, 2024.

These award recipients were chosen by a volunteer selection committee, consisting of leading professionals in ophthalmology, optometry, advocacy, public health and scientific communities.

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is presented annually to an individual, group or organization that has made significant lifetime contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national and/or international level. The award serves as a living memorial to Pomeroy, who served as the CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996 until 2013 and was a champion of public health and vision advocacy.

Founded in the year 2000, Mission for Vision seeks to restore the gift of vision to every visually impaired human being, irrespective of nationality, religion or socio-economic status. To date, MFV has positively impacted the lives of more than 19.7 million people in India, by making of more than 3 million eye surgeries possible. MFV works in 24 Indian states and union territories with leading eye health partners.

“Sight is the most central of our senses. We are delighted and humbled that Mission for Vision’s endeavors toward a better life for communities through good eye health has been appreciated and acknowledged through an award established to commemorate the exceptional vision of the distinguished Jenny Pomeroy,” said Jagdish Chanrai, founder of MFV. “It is an immense honor for us, and it underscores our vision and steadfast commitment toward the eradication of needless blindness and visual impairment.” 

Elizabeth Kurian, MFV’s chief executive officer added, “We reiterate our deep appreciation to our partners and team for their unwavering commitment and exceptional contribution to our common mission, and express our gratitude to our communities for the opportunity to serve them. We gratefully accept this award on our collective behalf and commit to further advancing public eye health.”



Dr. Shelton’s essay emphasized the significant successes in supporting strong school-based vision programs (SBVP). According to Considerations in Building a School-Based Vision Program, Ambrosino et al, “School-based vision programs (SBVPs) serve as one approach to advancing health equity. Operating at the intersection of schools and health care, SBVPs can increase access to pediatric vision services, improve academic performance and facilitate referrals to community vision care providers.”

“I would like to thank Prevent Blindness for this recognition. I would like to thank my mentors and colleagues at The Ohio State University College of Optometry for their continued support in my work over the years, including providing externship opportunities at school-based vision programs, said Dr. Shelton. “My externship experience at the Oyler School Vision Clinic in Cincinnati, Ohio, introduced me to the importance and value of school-based vision programs. A special thanks to my Ph.D. advisor Dean VanNasdale, OD, Ph.D., and my mentor John Crews, DPA. I look forward to discussing more about my essay at the summit this July.”

“Prevent Blindness congratulates Mission for Vision, and Dr. Erica Shelton as recipients of two of our most prestigious awards,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We share their passion for helping adults and children live to their fullest potential in life through vision and eye health awareness, education and assisting in access to eyecare for all.”