Bausch + Lomb and Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), a national non-profit organization with the vision of curing glaucoma, announced the U.S. launch of ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ a campaign designed to provide educational resources and raise awareness of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, during Glaucoma Awareness Month.

“We are proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to provide critical information about this serious eye disease and underline the negative toll it can have if left untreated,” said Christina Ackermann, president, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb. “Glaucoma can affect individuals of all ages and only half of those affected are aware they have it, so it’s important that we share risk factors, how to get tested and what treatment options are available. Through ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ we hope to help support patients in every step of their treatment journey.”

During the month of January, Glaucoma Awareness Month, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources to educate individuals who may be at risk for glaucoma and empower them to take an informed and active role in their eye health. The campaign also features a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential cure for glaucoma.

“Glaucoma Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to share information about this sight-threatening disease and remind people there are steps they can take to help preserve their vision,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president & CEO, GRF. “Visiting an eye care provider on an annual basis and paying attention to visual function are the best things someone can do to avoid the irreversible damage from glaucoma. Although there is currently no cure, our fight to prevent visual disability is ongoing, and we are grateful for the collaboration of organizations, such as Bausch + Lomb, who share this commitment with us.”

Learn more at glaucoma.org/screen-protect-cure.

Click HERE for the full press release.

This past fall, in a special giving-back initiative, Eschenbach Optik of America sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held in September 2022 at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL and was a 5-day/night educational adventure for those students who had the opportunity to attend.

Throughout the week, students were immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program. They learned about space hardware, experienced space flight simulations such as a 1/6^th Gravity Chair, and conducted a spaceflight mission, all while learning about aerospace career opportunities. They even got to speak live with a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station!

Eschenbach’s sponsored students not only had their tuition paid in full, but they also received a care package that included a video magnifier they could use at camp and keep for themselves afterwards. The scholarship winners were Joey P. from Cheyenne, WY (8^th Grade) and Samuel F. from Tiffin, OH (10^th grade).

Due to the impact the space camp has on visually impaired students, Eschenbach has decided to again sponsor two students in 2023. Information about Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students can be found HERE.

Click HERE for the full press release.