Dr. Alex V. Levin wins PBA research grant

Chicago-Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has named Alex V. Levin, MD, MHSc, as the recipient of its 2012 Investigator Award. Dr. Levin is chief of pediatric ophthalmology and ocular genetics at Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia.

PBA Investigator Awards are research grants presented annually to scientifically based studies that seek to end unnecessary vision loss. The 2012 award was presented to Dr. Levin for his study titled “Cost and effectiveness of an eye-care adherence program for Philadelphia school children with significant visual impairment.” A panel of experts coordinated by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology made the final selection.

According to Dr. Levin, the project seeks to provide critical information to eye-care decision-makers who are planning or currently engaged in vision programs, because data will be collected and analyzed to calculate the effectiveness of follow-up measures for the new Wills Eye Institute Children’s Eye Care Adherence Program (CECAP).

The CECAP program provides social workers with information on children who were determined to require follow-up care after a vision screening. The social worker then consults with the child’s family/caregivers to identify and resolve barriers to eye care and attempts to schedule necessary appointments with a pediatric ophthalmologist.

“Our organization was founded more than 100 years ago as a way to help provide healthy eyesight to children,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and chief executive officer of PBA. “By providing funds to research projects like Dr. Levin’s, we hope to continue that legacy and put all children on a path to a lifetime of healthy vision.”

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