“Save Your Vision” Month

HealthWatch for March 2008
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March is national “Save Your Vision” month. According to the American Optometric Association, regular eye exams are essential for good vision and overall health, especially since many eye problems do not present with obvious symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are important and can, when possible, prevent vision loss.

You should see your primary care physician regularly to check for diseases that could cause eye problems, like diabetes. Visit an eye doctor every one to two years to have a complete eye exam with pupil dilation; make an appointment immediately if you experience loss of eyesight, blurred vision, pain, double vision, redness, swelling or secretions.

The American Optometric Association recommends healthy individuals schedule eye exams as follows:

Age - Examination Interval
Birth to 24 months - By 6 months of age
2 to 5 years - At 3 years
6 to18 years - Before first grade and every two years thereafter
19 to 40 years - Every two to three years
41 to 60 years - Every two years
61 and over - Annually

Additional information at the American Optometric Association website: http://www.aoa.org

Resources
Cleveland Sight Center
The Cleveland Clinic