Las Vegas, NV –As the back-to-school season kicks off, International Vision Expo West is helping attendees reach a largely untapped audience with a variety of education sessions geared toward children’s eye health, as well as exhibitors displaying the latest eyewear and sunwear trends for children, teens and parents alike. Additionally, through its partnership with the Think About Your Eyes campaign – a national public awareness campaign aimed at educating consumers on the benefits of vision health – Vision Expo is arming attendees with the information they need to make informed eyewear purchasing decisions to successfully target these markets. This year’s event will be held in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo & Convention Center (Education: Sept. 14-17, 2016; Exhibition: Sept. 15-17, 2016).

While 25% of children have a vision problem that can interfere with learning and behavior, 60% of parents don’t feel an eye exam is an essential part of a child’s healthy check-up schedule. Think About Your Eyes – led by industry Visionaries – is working to change that with their latest effort featuring a virtual reality experience showing parents what it’s like to be a student with a vision impairment, and in tandem, Vision Expo is preparing eyecare providers for the needs of this specific audience.

Children’s vision correction is more nuanced and often requires a more specialized approach than that needed for adults. Vision Expo is taking the lead in showcasing the latest youth eyewear products and providing workshops on how to best serve children who need vision correction. Attendees can take advantage of the 320+ hours of education offered at Vision Expo, including sessions focusing on the latest in pediatric eye diseases and the psychology of pediatric dispensing, among other noteworthy topics.

Attendees can view the full education schedule online.

In addition to continuing education courses, the conference will offer 180,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing company and product innovation; parties and events; co-located meetings; and press conferences announcing the launch/preview of new products. Many exhibitors have displays geared toward kids’ frames, with many more honing in on teens and young adults.

Vision Expo proudly supports the Think About Your Eyes campaign and its mission to educate consumers about the importance of vision health and annual comprehensive eye exams.

To learn more about Vision Expo, or to register, visit: www.VisionExpoWest.com.