Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study

(BPEDS) will give a free eye examination to every child 6 months through 5 years of age living in a selected area. If a family lives in Northeast or Southeast Baltimore, their child may be eligible for this project.

We will learn what kinds of eye disease affect the children in our neighborhoods, what things might contribute to the disease, and, if a child is found to have eye disease, help guide the parent to the best treatment for that child.

Remember, early detection and treatment of visual problems will help assure parents that their child's vision will not create developmental or learning difficulties in these formative years.

Contact Information:

The Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Rm W5009
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-502-8508/Fax 410-955-2029

What will happen first?

Like any community project, BPEDS will need to know all about the neighborhoods! We will meet with community groups, church membership, government officials, and others, introducing ourselves asking for help in getting the word out.

Starting November 15, 2003 our staff will begin calling and/or knocking on doors until we have attempted to reach every single family in a neighborhood. This will take lots of time. It could be several months before we reach your community. The study will continue for three and a half years. So don't call to register, we will be calling you!

Free Eye Examination for infants and children

If the parent or guardian of a child in the age group and within our study area agrees to participate when we call, we will schedule the clinic appointment and we will provide free van service to the clinic and home again for the parent, child, and any children the parent may not be able to leave alone. There will be a day care provider on site at all times to care for children while the parent and child are being processed.

How can you help?

• Talk to people in your community about the project so they will be aware when our staff starts calling and/or knocking on doors.
• If you are a member of a community group and would like us to come speak, give a call to the phone number below.

Remember, this is a three-year study, so we may take some months to come to your neighborhood.

Neighborhoods within our study area:

Patricia Hawse, COMT - Project Manager: 410-502-8508 or phawse@jhmi.edu