If you’re worried that your vision is not what it used to be, what better time to have it checked than August – National Eye Exam Month and Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
Eye care is an important factor in your overall health and it shouldn’t be ignored. According to the Vision Council, having a comprehensive exam of your by an eye care provider can provide early warning signs for a number of diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and even life-threatening brain tumors.
The National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute notes that more than 10 million Americans have undiagnosed eye problems and conditions that can affect their vision. If left undiagnosed or untreated, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and other conditions can negatively impact vision and overall eye health. Also, more than 180 million Americans have vision impairment.
The Vision Council offers these warning signs, which may indicate adult vision problems.
- Adult Vision Problems – Warning Signs
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading and performing up-close work, such as sewing
- Changes in the way you see colors
- Impaired night vision, especially while driving and encountering oncoming headlights
- Frequent eyeglass prescription changes
For more information on these and other warning signs, visit the Vision Council website here.
Furthermore, children should have their eyes examined annually as poor vision can negatively impact a child’s learning and schoolwork.
The Vision Council offers these warning signs, which may indicate a child has vision problems.
- Squinting, closing or covering one eye
- One or both eyes turning in or out
- Constantly holding materials close to the face
- Repeatedly rubbing eyes
- Continued redness or tearing
- Family history of vision problems
For more information on these and other warning signs, visit the Vision Council website here.