Delta Gammas Decorate Star Pupils Tree

Atlanta, GA (Dec. 8, 2011) The second annual Cobb Galleria Festival of Trees features the Prevent Blindness Georgia “Star Pupils” tree created by members of the University of Georgia chapter of the Delta Gamma fraternity. Thirty Atlanta area non-profit organizations are displaying trees at the free festival, which is hosted by Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria, through January 5.

The Prevent Blindness Georgia tree celebrates the more than 30,000 prekindergarten children who are vision screened throughout the state each year by Prevent Blindness Georgia certified vision screeners. Approximately six percent of the children fail the screenings and are referred to an eye doctor for further evaluation.

According to Prevent Blindness Georgia board member, Amy Hutchinson, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist with Emory Eye Center, vision screening is a cost effective, child friendly, essentially risk free approach to detecting a condition that can lead to amblyopia or “lazy eye” blindness.

Amblyopia is a condition that develops in children and, if left untreated, causes permanent vision loss. Any condition that prevents the eye from having a normal visual experience can lead to amblyopia. The most common causes are strabismus (abnormal alignment of the two eyes), refractive errors (focusing problems), ptosis (droopy eyelid), and cataracts. Amblyopia can only be treated while visual development is ongoing. Visual development is essentially complete by age seven or eight.

The Galleria aims to raise $20,000 through the fundraising event. Visitors are asked to vote by donating money to their favorite tree. The money raised will be given to the charity of choice. Last year’s event raised $14,000 for the 25 Atlanta area non-profits that participated.

The hotel, which is located at 2815 Akers Mill Road, SE, Atlanta, is providing visitors with free hot chocolate and cookies while they visit and view the decorated trees. View more photos of the “Star Pupils” tree on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/preventblindnessgeorgia. For more information, call Prevent Blindness Georgia at 404-266-2020.

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