On October 15, 2005, at the Annual American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Meeting, First Lady Patricia Blagojevich addressed over 600 eye doctors to highlight the Illinois Pediatric Vision Initiative.

In April of 2004, the First Lady made Illinois the first state sponsored campaign in the U.S. to specifically target amblyopia. Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of preventable vision loss in the United States. It affects two to three percent of children, but many parents have never heard of it. If detected early, treatment is almost always successful, but when amblyopia goes unchecked, it can lead to blindness in one eye. Routine screening and detection before age 5 are the most effective prevention strategies.

First Lady Patricia Blagojevich also presented the Governor’s People Are Today’s Heroes (PATH) Award to Dr. Marilyn Miller for her devotion to children for over 30 years. Dr. Miller currently serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section at the University of Illinois.

The PATH Award recognizes groups or individuals who, through their hard work and commitment, have improved the lives of people in their community in the areas of health care, public safety, education and economic development.

“The extraordinary commitment that Dr. Miller has made over 30 years to help children, deserves recognition because of the everlasting impact has made on their lives. Dr. Miller has been involved in anything and everything having to do with children’s eye care.” said Mrs. Blagojevich. “She is one of today’s heroes to many Illinois families.”

Click here for more information on Dr. Marilyn Miller.
For more information on children’s vision and eye health, please visit Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org