CHICAGO— Prevent Blindness America has announced the dates of this year’s “Most Beautiful Eyes Contest,” a competition offering children across the U.S. a chance to win an educational scholarship of $10,000 from Marchon Eyewear. The contest will begin accepting entries June 24, 2013.

The PBA Most Beautiful Eyes Contest invites parents of children aged zero to 17 to enter the competition by submitting a photo of their children to the PBA Facebook page. Entries will be accepted from June 24 to July 31, 2013. Following the entry period, from Aug. 1 to 31, 2013, the public may vote on their choice of the child with the “most beautiful eyes.” One child per state (void where prohibited) will be chosen to advance to the second round of voting.

Among state winners, a child will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges as the national contest winner. Returning judges include ORA-TV’s Larry King, “Fox NFL Sunday” host Curt Menefee and actress Barbara Eden. New to the panel this year is financial journalist and bestselling author Beth Kobliner Shaw, whose forthcoming book, “Jacob’s Eye Patch,” coauthored by Jacob Shaw, will be awarded to state winners. All state winners will also receive a free pair of RKS sunglasses.

The national winner will be awarded a weekend in Chicago with two family members to attend the PBA Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. At the banquet, the $10,000 scholarship will be officially awarded.

The PBA Most Beautiful Eyes Contest is sponsored by Marchon Eyewear, Real Kids Shades (RKS),  Eagle Eyes Optics and Walters Golf.

“[The contest] provides us a unique opportunity to remind parents about the importance of making sure our children’s eyes are healthy,” said Hugh R. Parry, PBA president and CEO. “Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors and judges, we can continue to help put kids on a path to a lifetime of healthy vision.”