New amblyopia resources and videos support early detection of children’s vision disorders
Ahead of the release of Disney/Pixar’s Elio, a film featuring a young boy who wears an eye patch, Prevent Blindness and the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) have launched a public awareness campaign focused on amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye”, and other pediatric vision conditions. The initiative includes free educational materials, a new video series and a call to support early childhood vision screening legislation.
The national campaign aims to turn a family film into a teaching moment, giving families, providers and Pixar fans a reason to talk about vision health, especially for the youngest patients.
READ MORE: Prevent Blindness Receives $9.7M Donation to Expand Eye Health Initiatives
National campaign uses pop culture to raise pediatric vision awareness
Prevent Blindness (Chicago, IL), the oldest eye health nonprofit in the U.S., is teaming up with its children’s vision branch, NCCVEH, to release timely educational resources inspired by Elio, which premieres later this year. While the reason behind the animated character’s eye patch isn’t made explicit in the film, patching is a widely used and effective treatment for amblyopia and other pediatric eye conditions.
“The (Elio) movie provides parents a unique opportunity to discuss eye patches and healthy vision with their kids and learn more about ways to keep their vision healthy throughout their lifetime,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.
The campaign includes downloadable tip sheets, social media graphics and an invitation for families to share their child’s patching journey online using the hashtag #EyePatchSuperPower.
Amblyopia is the leading cause of childhood vision loss
Amblyopia affects between 2-4% of children and is the most common cause of vision loss in early childhood.1 The condition occurs when one eye is weaker than the other and the brain suppresses its input, leading to reduced visual acuity.
READ MORE: Awakening the Lazy Eye: Experts Discuss Updates in Amblyopia Treatment
Dr. Sandra Block, OD, MEd, MPH, a pediatric vision expert and emeritus board member at Prevent Blindness, explains that the most common causes of amblyopia include:
- Uncorrected refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism
- Strabismus, or misaligned eye posture
- Pediatric cataracts or other developmental eye conditions
If left untreated, the weaker eye may never fully develop, leading to permanent vision loss. But with early diagnosis, the condition is highly treatable, often through glasses, corrective surgery and targeted patching therapy.
WATCH NOW: A Fun, New Treatment for Amblyopia
Real families and doctors share stories in new video series
To reduce stigma and show the real-world impact of early intervention, Prevent Blindness has released a video series titled Focus on Children’s Vision, featuring patient stories and expert interviews.
The series pairs medical insight with patient experiences to show what patching looks like in real life and why it works when properly supported. The series brings in multiple voices where families share firsthand experiences with patching and reflect on how childhood vision care preserved long-term sight and boosted confidence.
“Children look around, and that’s how they learn to do things,” said Dr. Sandra Block, professor emeritus at the Illinois College of Optometry and longtime Prevent Blindness board member. “Vision is very important to early development. That reinforces the fact that we need to get kids in for eye exams early.”
She added that patching only works when the cause of amblyopia is properly diagnosed and treated in stages. “You have to have the right optical correction,” she explained. “The whole goal is to first focus the image on the part of the eye, which is the retina, that helps you see clearly.”
Legislative efforts seek to fund early detection
Prevent Blindness is also advocating for the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act (H.R. 2527), a bipartisan bill that would support state grants for pediatric screening systems and coordinated follow-up care.2
The legislation was reintroduced in March 2025 by Congressional Vision Caucus co-chairs Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX). A Senate version is expected later this year.
If passed, the act would fund:
- Expanded screening programs through pediatricians and schools
- Care coordination services to ensure children receive follow-up exams
- Equity initiatives to reduce disparities in access to eye care
To support long-term change, Prevent Blindness urges readers to learn more about the Early Detection of Vision Impairments (EDVI) Act of 2024, which would establish the first national-level program in the U.S. dedicated to improving children’s vision and eye health.
[Learn more and take action here: https://advocacy.preventblindness.org/edvi-act-of-2024/]Free resources from Prevent Blindness and NCCVEH
Clinicians and caregivers can now access a wide range of pediatric vision health resources to guide conversations around eye patching, amblyopia and related conditions. These include:
- Dedicated amblyopia and eye patching web pages
- Tips for patching compliance to help families stick to treatment
- Printable graphics and social posts to spread awareness
- Guides to vision screening protocols and injury prevention
The campaign encourages participation from optometrists, pediatricians, school nurses and child care professionals to normalize patching and promote early detection.
A timely message with lasting impact
By connecting the big-screen with real-world advocacy, Prevent Blindness and NCCVEH are reminding providers and parents alike that children’s vision health starts with awareness and succeeds with support. With early screening, proper guidance, and a little encouragement, kids with amblyopia can not only see better but start thriving, with patch, pride, and perfect timing.
Editor’s Note: To learn more, read the full Prevent Blindness and NCCVEH Provide Free Educational Resources as New Disney/Pixar Film Elio Sparks Conversation press release.
References
- Blair K, Cibis G, Zeppieri M, et al. Amblyopia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430890/ Accessed on June 3, 2025.
- U.S. Congress. Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act of 2025. H.R.2527, 119th Congress. 2025. Available from: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2527/text Accessed on June 3, 2025.
