The PAAO Carl Kupfer Award for Prevention of Blindness was established, in 1997, to give recognition to exemplary efforts in increasing access to eye care among poor and underserved populations. The award is given as a prize to an individual or organizational team who has demonstrated through their work an outstanding commitment to the cause of prevention of blindness within their community. Qualifying prevention of blindness programs and activities are wide ranging and include: identifying eye-care deficiencies through blindness surveys; cataract surgery campaigns; community outreach programs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy; early treatment of ROP, congential cataract, or other efforts to prevent childhood blindness; correction of refractive error among school-age children; programs to rehabilitate the blind through low-vision aids or schools for the blind; and volunteerism in public eye care service programs. The Kupfer award is to serve as an example to others of the efforts that are needed in the quest for blindness prevention. The prize stipend of US$5,000 for the 2007 Carl Kupfer Award for the Prevention of Blindness is made possible through a restricted grant from Alcon Inc.

NEW Deadline for submission of Nomination materials: February 12, 2007