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Many common
eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness,
such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma,
or age-related macular
degeneration, often
have no early warning signs or symptoms. Having regular
eye exams to make sure the eyes are healthy and seeing
their best is important for everyone.
However,
the risk of vision loss and blindness is higher for some
people based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic
and socioeconomic factors.
You might
be at higher risk for eye disease if you have a family
history of eye disease; havediabetes;
are African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian,
or Alaska Native; or are older than 50. Some diseases
affect certain populations disproportionately.
• Glaucoma,
which affects your side or peripheral
vision first,
is three times more common in African Americans than in
Whites. It is a leading cause of blindness in African
Americans.
• Diabetic
retinopathy,
a leading cause of blindness caused by uncontrolled
diabetes, occurs
more often in Hispanics/Latinos than in Whites.
• American
Indians and Alaska
Natives are
35 percent more likely to have diabetes than the average
adult in the United States , putting them at increased
risk of diabetic eye disease.
• Older
adults are at higher risk of developing age-related eye diseases
and conditions such
as age-related macular
degeneration (AMD),
glaucoma, or cataract. AMD is a leading cause of
blindness in Whites.
May Is Healthy Vision
Month
Celebrate Healthy Vison
Month by promoting eye health in your community.
To find ideas and
education resources, visit
www.nei.nih.gov/hvm
“If you are at
higher risk of eye disease, having a comprehensive
dilated eye exam is the best thing you can do to protect
your vision,” says Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D.,
director of the National
Eye Institute, part
of the National
Institutes of Health.
“A
comprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure
where your eye care professional puts drops in the eyes
to dilate, or widen, the pupil so he or she can get a
good look at the back of the eye to check for signs of
eye disease. With early detection, treatment can slow or
stop vision loss and reduce the risk of blindness.”
In addition to having regular eye exams, eating a healthy
diet, not smoking,
and wearing protective eyewear are just a few other
things you can do to protect your sight. For more
information on eye exams, common
eye diseases and conditions,
and finding financial assistance for eye care, visit http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes.
Remember, when you take good care of your eyes, you take
good care of yourself. |
