May is Healthy Vision Month: Here’s what you need to know
May is Healthy Vision Month!
In honor of this, we want to walk you through everything you need to know (and do) in order to protect your eyes/vision, as well as sustain its health. Eye Care is just as important as eating healthy and partaking in physical activities. In fact, your eye health and physical health often go hand in hand.
What’s the first step in taking care of your eyes?
Getting a comprehensive eye exam! Did you know that there are more than 350 hereditary eye diseases? Most of which go undetected without a proper dilated eye exam. However, did you know that more than 23 million Americans have never had an eye exam before?
Seems…unhealthy, right?
Annual eye exams are important for everyone, but especially for people who already seek eye healthcare, are experiencing new eye or vision changes, or are over the age of 40.
It’s common to feel nervous before an eye examination, but we at Shanbom Eye Specialist can assure you that nothing about your exam will be painful or scary. To get a full list of what we do during a comprehensive eye exam, click here.
What are some common eye issues for Americans?
Outside of refractive errors (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatisms), there are several common eye diseases and disorders that are important to catch earlier on rather than later: cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, and diabetic retinopathy.
In fact, the leading cause of blindness and low vision for Americans is age-related diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Luckily, all of these issues can be detected in eye exams, especially if you already have an idea or have noticed a symptom that seems out of the “norm.” Plus, if one of these issues are found, Shanbom Eye Specialist is your go-to for all your eye needs!
What are some ways to protect my eyes and vision?
Get annual eye exams (we’re here for you!)
Live healthily – maintaining healthy weight, eating nutritiously, taking care of any chronic conditions or illnesses
Know your family history – important for eye exams and eye health
Use protective glasses/eyewear when needed
Protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses
Eye disease, disorders, and vision refractive errors are super common for Americans. So, do your part in taking care of your most vital sense: your vision.