Loss of vision is second only to cancer as our biggest fear.
Many eye diseases have no symptoms in their early stages.
Most eye diseases can be treated and vision saved if
diagnosed and treated early.
Only 1 in 16 children receive an eye examination before they
start school and only 60 percent before they graduate. Less
than half of adults at risk for vision loss have had an exam
through dilated pupils within the last year. Fifty percent of
people with glaucoma do not know they have it. Only 60 per
cent of people with diabetes receive annual dilated eye
examinations. If we value our vision so highly and if we can
prevent many cases of vision loss, then why are we not
getting our preventive eye examinations? Studies show it's
not that we don't care, it's that we don't know.
So when should you have an eye examination. A child's first
eye examination should be at age 6 months, at age 3, before
starting school, then every 2 years. People between 18 and
40 should be seen every 2 years and then yearly exams after
age 60 are recommended. People with diabetes, glaucoma, high
blood pressure, age related macular degeneration, frequent
prescription changes, or other risk factors may require even
more frequent exams.
Ask us when you or your family members should be seen if
you have any questions.
www.aoa.org/eye-exams.xml will give you more information
regarding eye and vision care. |
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