Latest News Prevent Blindness and Liberty Sport Announce Performance Vision Center Award By Staff Wednesday, October 26, 2016 12:18 AM FAIRFIELD, N.J.—Prevent Blindness, Liberty Sport and Liberty Sport’s education and research associate Alan Reichow, OD, M.Ed, FAAO, announced the new Performance Vision Center Award program, in recognition of leading independent eyecare professionals who are committed to reducing preventable eye injuries in both active youth and adults. Prevent Blindness reports that eye injuries have decreased by double digits over the past five years. ECPs that regularly prescribe sport protective eyewear have had a major impact on this trend. Still, the challenge remains as active youth and adults still suffer over 30,000 eye injuries each year, according to the organization. Over 90 percent of these injuries are preventable through education, assessment and intervention.“New research available in the last year has helped quantify the significant and positive impact that we have had in partnership with independent eyecare professionals in preventing sports related eye injuries,” said Anthony DiChiara, Liberty Sport president and CEO. “We supported this timely idea to recognize and award a leading group of ECPs for their dedication to our shared mission. We remain particularly mindful that our mission to protect active children and adults from eye injury continues.” Selection for the Performance Vision Center Award is an objective process where ECPs that have shown the greatest (and above average commitment) to prescribing youth protective prescription eyewear are chosen, a spokesperson for Liberty Sport told VMail. The Performance Vision Center Award serves to distinguish independent eyecare professionals and their practices within their local area. To further support their mission, Liberty Sport has provided each awardee an exclusive benefits package that includes tools and information as well as the best complete Rx solutions packages and pricing Liberty Sport has to offer. Additionally, each honoree receives exclusive rights to use the Performance Vision Center Medallion graphic in promotion of their practice. “Eye injuries from sports can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness. The good news is that most eye injuries are preventable by using the proper eye protection,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Prevent Blindness applauds the new Performance Vision Award program from Liberty Sport and appreciates the vital role that the eyecare professionals play in helping protect the gift of sight.”