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Healthcare

	What You Can Do to Save Your Eyes...

Why is it the eyes are among the first "things to go." Is it nature's way of helping you not see the normal changes of aging? Is it hereditary? Or did you not take care of your eyes the way you watch your weight, your exercise regimen or social schedule? A recent survey shows Americans lack critical facts about maintaining eye health.

Most Americans do not know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could blind them if they don't seek timely detection and treatment, according to recent findings of the Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease. This survey was sponsored by the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health, and the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that a loss of their eyesight would rate as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, meaning that it would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day life. However, only eight percent knew that there are no early warning signs of glaucoma, a condition that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness.

Fifty-one percent said that they have heard that people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing eye disease, but only 11 percent knew that there are usually no early warning signs. Only 16 percent had ever heard the term "low vision," which affects millions of Americans. Low vision is vision loss that standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery cannot correct, making everyday tasks difficult to do. Simple tasks like reading the mail, watching TV, shopping, cooking, and writing become challenging. READ FULL STORY...

• Most Americans do not know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could blind them.
• Only 8% knew that there are no early warning signs of glaucoma.
• Only 16% had ever heard of the term low vision, which is vision loss that neither eyeglasses nor medical therapies can help.
• More than 70% surveyed say that a loss of their eyesight would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day life.
• Many said they consider the loss of eyesight to be worse than losing an arm or leg, or the ability to hear or speak.
• Hispanics knew the least about eye health.
• Hispanics were the least likely to have their eyes examined.
• 41% said that they had not seen or heard anything about eye health or disease in the last year.

The most important thing you can do for yourself is to get an annual eye exam. What can you expect in the exam? Wills Eye, the Philadelphia-based non-profit organization whose clinical expertise and sophistication of diagnostic and treatment procedures make it a worldwide referral center, offers this guide to the Eye Examination

Eyesight information in Spanish

Eye Health Organizations - comprehensive list of links from National Eye Institute