What is Vision Awareness Month?

The Goal of National Vision Awareness Month

This October, Clarkson Eyecare is using Vision Awareness Month to teach patients about the signs of sight-stealing eye diseases to be on the lookout for. There are a few critical goals of vision awareness month:

• Educate About Silent Eye Diseases: Many eye conditions develop without early warning signs. This month spotlights “silent” threats like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration so you know what to watch for and when to get checked. 

• Promote Early Detection Through Annual Exams: The most effective way to protect your sight is with a comprehensive eye exam. National Vision Awareness Month encourages every adult and child to make preventive eye care a yearly habit. 

• Build Everyday Protection Habits: Small choices add up. Learn how to shield your eyes from UV light, reduce digital eye strain with smart screen habits, wear appropriate eye protection at work and play, and support eye health with good nutrition and hydration. 

• Increase Access to Care: Awareness should lead to action. We aim to remove barriers by offering flexible scheduling, helping you understand benefits, and guiding you to the right care for your needs. 

Vision-Threatening Conditions to Watch For

Some of the most serious eye diseases progress quietly, often without pain or obvious symptoms, until vision is already at risk. There are four common culprits. If you’re over 60, have a family history of eye disease, live with diabetes, or notice changes like blurry or distorted vision, don’t wait. A yearly comprehensive eye exam is the best way to catch problems early and keep you seeing clearly. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, often called AMD, typically affects people over 60 and comes in both dry and wet forms. This condition impacts the light-sensitive center of your retina, the macula. As the condition progresses, you may notice a blurring or dimming in the center of your vision. At the final stages, there is typically no cure, potentially leading to irreversible blindness.

That’s why it’s essential to get annual eye exams to detect and begin treating the condition as soon as possible. The eye doctors at Clarkson Eyecare use the latest techniques to detect macular degeneration and prescribe appropriate treatment plans to lessen symptoms. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you’re at risk of developing diabetic eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when the blood vessels in the eye start to swell and leak, causing the surrounding tissues to swell and damage the optic nerve. At later stages in the disease, the damage to your vision is irreversible. Annual diabetic eye exams can help catch diabetic retinopathy early and stop in its tracks, ensuring your vision remains clear and healthy. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is often referred to as the silent thief of sight for a reason. Symptoms of glaucoma often go completely unnoticed until there’s irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma occurs when your eye loses its ability to regulate the flow of intraocular fluid flowing between the iris and the lens. This causes a buildup of pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve, the part of the eye that sends images from your eye to your brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause severe and permanent blindness. 

Cataracts

A cataract occurs when the natural lens in your eye begins to cloud as the proteins the lens is made of start clumping together. This happens to many people as they age, and cataract surgery is a commonplace procedure that can eliminate cataracts entirely. Cataracts may make a person’s vision look blurry or dull, with sight worsening as the cataract gets larger over time.

The eye doctors and surgeons at Clarkson Eyecare have the training and expertise to help you banish cataracts before it’s too late. If you’re experiencing symptoms of cataracts, schedule an appointment with your local eye doctor today for better eye health. 

Everyday Habits to Maintain Your Eye Health

Smart, consistent habits do more for your vision than any one-time fix. Use these daily practices to keep your eyes comfortable now and protect your sight long-term.

1. Smart Screen Use: Position screens an arm’s length away with the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level, matching screen brightness to the room and increase text size to reduce squinting. You should also follow the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 

2. UV & Glare Protection: Wear sunglasses labeled UV400 (blocks 100% UVA/UVB rays) whenever you’re outside, even on cloudy days. Add a brimmed hat for extra protection and consider polarized lenses to cut glare for driving, boating, or snow days. 

3. Safety First: Use task-appropriate protective eyewear when playing sports, completing yardwork and DIY, or while on the job. Choose impact-rated safety glasses/goggles for projects with flying debris or chemicals. 

4. Contact Lens Hygiene: Wash and dry your hands before handling lenses, never rinsing lenses or cases with tap water and instead use fresh disinfecting solution every time. Also replace lenses and cases on the schedule your eye doctor recommends. 

5. Manage Whole Body Health: Keep diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control, as this can benefit your eyes directly. Also ensure to share your family eye health history at your exam so your doctor can tailor your screening to your unique needs.