CHICAGO—As part of World Sight Day events, Vision 2020 USA will be holding an educational luncheon briefing in Washington D.C. At this briefing Michael Chiang, MD, a leading national figure in artificial intelligence and big data analytics research, will discuss where the field is headed. Dr. Chiang, Professor of Ophthalmology & Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology at the Oregon Health and Science University and technical adviser to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, will highlight the importance of federal leadership to ensure that the U.S. will realize full potential of these exciting new technologies. The briefing will be held Oct. 10 at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2075, from noon to 1 p.m. The session will be moderated by Dr. Mitchell Brinks, MD, MPH, Chair of Vision 2020/USA, who will lead off the event with an update on Vision 2020 USA activities.

Sponsors of the briefing include Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Helen Keller International, Himalayan Cataract Project, International Eye Foundation, Kellogg Eye Center for International Ophthalmology, Lighthouse Guild, Lions Club International, One Sight, Orbis International, Pacific University College of Optometry, Prevent Blindness, Rajeev S. Ramchandran, University of Rochester, Flaum Eye Institute, Seva Foundation, Vision Impact Institute.

According to Prevent Blindness by 2050, the impaired and blind populations are projected to reach 7.3 million (2.4 times higher than in 2014) and 3.1 million (2.3 times higher than in 2014), respectively. Each year, more Americans will experience vision loss and become at greater risk for deterioration in quality of life, financial well-being, and social engagement.

VISION 2020 USA has been organized to better coordinate the efforts of the many U.S. organizations working in the field of blindness prevention, both nationally and internationally. VISION 2020 USA is committed to assuring the right to sight for all peoples both within the U.S. and countries outside the U.S.
IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments and non-governmental agencies to facilitate the planning, development and implementation of sustainable national eyecare programs. VISION 2020 is a joint of the IAPB with the World Health Organization (WHO).

To attend the Vision 2020 USA World Sight Day briefing and luncheon, please contact Dina Beaumont at (202) 407-8325 or dinabeau@aol.com.