Healthy Vision Month: Protecting Your Eyes, Protecting Your Future

Healthy Vision Month encourages individuals to prioritize their eye health by raising awareness about preventable vision issues and promoting early detection of eye diseases. Good vision is essential for maintaining quality of life, yet millions of Americans neglect routine eye exams that could save their sight.

Three Facts:

1. Nearly 12 million people in the U.S. over age 40 have vision impairment, and most cases are preventable or treatable with regular care.
2. Diabetes and age-related conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration are among the leading causes of blindness.
3. Preventative measures, like wearing UV-protective sunglasses and following a balanced diet rich in vitamins A and C, can help preserve vision.

How to Participate in Healthy Vision Month:

1. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam for yourself and encourage your family members to do the same.
2. Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.
3. Educate children about the importance of screen breaks and proper lighting to reduce eye strain.

Three Resources:

1. National Eye Institute – Tips for maintaining healthy vision and information about vision disorders.
2. Prevent Blindness – Advocacy and education on eye protection and disease prevention.
3. BrightFocus Foundation – Eye Health – Focused on research for macular degeneration and glaucoma.