Causes: Disabilities, Eye Diseases, Blindness & Vision Impairments, Eye Diseases, Blindness & Vision Impairments Research, Health, Human Service Organizations, Human Services

Mission: Founded in 1936, the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington® (POB) is the largest local prevention of blindness agency in the United States, dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation.

Target demographics: Low-income children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area between 3- to 21-years-oldSchool-aged children Homeless and indigent Adults at risk for eye diseasesAdults with eye diseases in need of support groupsAll ages to prevent blindness

Geographic areas served: Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland; Northern Virginia; and the District of Columbia

Programs: POB screens more than 8,000 children annually for vision loss and strabismus, and thousands of adults for glaucoma. The organization provides thousands of low-income and homeless community members with eyeglasses each year, and helps those with low vision retain their independence through personalized rehabilitation programs at its Low Vision Learning Centers in Washington, DC and Alexandria, VA. POB sponsors the Aging Eye Network, Macular Degeneration Network, and Stargardt’s Network, which provide free public programs and support groups.