eye tips
Want to prevent or slow vision loss? According to many eye care professionals, the best way to accomplish this is with early detection through regular eye exams. Even though vision may be clear, exams can uncover changes in the eye caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, eye tumors, retinal disorders and glaucoma. Some of these have no symptoms in the early stages. Eye exams can also lead to the earliest detection of other serious health problems--including diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).
amd
What is AMD? Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease affecting the macula, which is located in the retina (links to 1.03.04.01.00). It currently affects 1.75 million Americans and is one of the most common causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. AMD is painless. It affects the central vision needed to perform many daily activities like reading and driving. Signs and Symptoms include:
- Blurred Vision
- Small blind spots
- Straight lines appear crooked
- Causes/Risk Factors:
- Increased age
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Race (Whites are at a much higher risk for losing vision from -AMD than African-Americans).
- Family history (People with a family history of AMD are at higher risk of getting the disease).
- Women have a greater risk than men.
Prevention: Comprehensive eye exams are the most important component to ensuring overall healthy vision. To find an eye doctor in your area, use our Doctor Locator to the left.
The Sun and Your Eyes
Friends? Enemies? Both.
Every day - whether it is sunny or cloudy, and despite the season - we are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Most of the time we don't even realize it, as UV radiation is invisible to the eye. However, out of sight should not mean out of mind when it comes to UV radiation. This is why you should make sure you and your family always wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection while spending time outdoors during the day.
Preventive Care
You've heard the old saying, "A Penny of Prevention Is Worth A Dollar of Cure". By following some of the simple steps outlined in this guide, you may be able to save yourself time, money and vision loss in the future. The preventive care guide has been created to encourage you to protect your eyes from hazards in order to slow vision loss and avoid eye injuries.
Eye Protection
Exercise Caution Prevent Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Each year, 38,000 sports-related eye injuries are reported in the United States. Experts say that 90% of them could be prevented.
Each year, 38,000 sports-related eye injuries are reported in the United States. Experts say that 90% of them could be prevented.
A survey by the Vision Council of America reports that nearly 9 in 10 people (89%) believe children should regularly wear protective eyewear when playing sports, yet just slightly over 1 in 3 (36%) report that their children actually do so.
Goggles Should Be Standard Equipment
Of course, nothing can prevent all sports-related eye injuries. But simply making sports goggles a part of athletic uniforms can significantly reduce the likelihood of potentially sight damaging injuries. Anyone participating in sports and activities should wear eye protection.
Low Vision
What is Low Vision? Low Vision is a visual impairment that consists of partial sight or sight that isn't fully correctable with surgery, pharmaceuticals, contact lenses or glasses. The term low vision is most often used when referring to vision impairment resulting from such conditions as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It affects nearly one quarter of the U.S. population. Warning signs include:
Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and Symptoms:
- Hazy or blurred vision
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Color confusion
- Trouble reading, cooking or doing close-up tasks
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
- Light sensitivity (complaints that lights are too dim indoors)
- Problems reading street signs or crossing the street
Diagnosis: Only an eyecare professional can accurately diagnose the conditions associated with low vision. Tests performed during a regular eye exam will allow your eye doctor to determine if you have the condition. For more on the basics of eye exams,
Prevention: Comprehensive eye exams are the most important component to ensuring overall healthy vision. To find an eye doctor in your area, use our Doctor Locator to the left.