July is Healthy Vision Month, a time to raise awareness about eye health and preventing vision loss.Doctors say that eye health often gets overlooked, even though early intervention can prevent serious vision issues later on.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk for vision loss, but only about 60% see an eye doctor each year.While screen time is a big part of modern life, it may be impacting our vision. “Before the pandemic, when they went into Zoom school all day long, they actually became poorly controlled. Doing work at this distance made their eyes cross more,” said Sujata Singh, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the University of Vermont.Experts say many people are not even aware of what screen time does to their eyes. Simple strategies, like the “20-20-20 rule” can help. For every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away; for 20 seconds, to let your eyes re-focus and relax.“There’s nothing magical about every 20 minutes and every, for 20s. But the idea is that you’re doing it, like, three times an hour,” said Singh. When it comes to sun protection, officials say to wear sunglasses and to avoid direct eye contact with the sun. “It really can affect your macula, which is the central part of your retina that gives you your central vision. So pretty vital part of your, of your eye anatomy,” said Singh.Singh also says to pay attention to signs, like squinting, eye rubbing or trouble focusing, and if you have a family history of vision problems or conditions like diabetes, you should be even more proactive.A lot of childhood vision issues can be treated if caught early. Doctors recommend scheduling routine eye exams every year.
July is Healthy Vision Month, a time to raise awareness about eye health and preventing vision loss.
Doctors say that eye health often gets overlooked, even though early intervention can prevent serious vision issues later on.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk for vision loss, but only about 60% see an eye doctor each year.
While screen time is a big part of modern life, it may be impacting our vision.
“Before the pandemic, when they went into Zoom school all day long, they actually became poorly controlled. Doing work at this distance made their eyes cross more,” said Sujata Singh, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the University of Vermont.
Experts say many people are not even aware of what screen time does to their eyes. Simple strategies, like the “20-20-20 rule” can help. For every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away; for 20 seconds, to let your eyes re-focus and relax.
“There’s nothing magical about every 20 minutes and every, for 20s. But the idea is that you’re doing it, like, three times an hour,” said Singh.
When it comes to sun protection, officials say to wear sunglasses and to avoid direct eye contact with the sun.
“It really can affect your macula, which is the central part of your retina that gives you your central vision. So [a] pretty vital part of your, of your eye anatomy,” said Singh.
Singh also says to pay attention to signs, like squinting, eye rubbing or trouble focusing, and if you have a family history of vision problems or conditions like diabetes, you should be even more proactive.
A lot of childhood vision issues can be treated if caught early. Doctors recommend scheduling routine eye exams every year.
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