Protect Your Eyes From Harmful UV Rays

Most Americans understand the importance of protecting their skin from the sun, but they seldom make an effort to protect their eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), even on an overcast day, UV rays can cause sunburn of both the skin and the cornea of the eye. This can increase the risk of cataracts and potentially damage the retina. UV damage is cumulative, so it's never too late to start protecting your eyes!

Here are some tips from the AOA:

• Always wear protective eyewear when outside, even on cloudy days and in the winter.
• Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection.
• Make sure the lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of imperfections.
• Purchase grey-colored lenses. They reduce light intensity and provide the most natural color vision.
• Don't forget eye protection for children and teenagers. They tend to spend more time outside than adults!

Read more tips for protecting your eyes.

For more information on UV protection, visit the AOA website.

___________________________

Race for Sight 2013

It's time to gear up for this year's Race for Sight! Join us on July 20th for a beautiful ride through some great New York countryside and help raise money to support A.V.R.E. programming! Or, just stop by and check out our kids program - Tandemonium! For more information about both, visit the Race for Sight website.

___________________________

Newsletter

Check out the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter, InSight, to learn more about what's going on at A.V.R.E. and how we're working with people who are blind or visually impaired to live successful, independent lives!

___________________________

June is Cataract
Awareness Month

According to Prevent Blindness America's report, Vision Problems in the US, there are currently more than 24 million Americans 40 and older who have cataract. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. Unlike many eye diseases, however, vision loss due to cataract can be restored. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the US and has a 95% success rate. And, a new study found that cataract surgery patients had a significantly reduced rate of hip fractures from falls!

Cataract generally does not cause pain, redness, or tears. However, these changes in your vision may be signs of cataract:

• Blurred or double vision, ghost images, the sense of "film" over the eyes;
• Lights seem too dim for reading or close-up work, or you're overwhelmed by strong light;
• Frequently changing eyeglass prescription that doesn't help;
• You may notice a milky or yellowish spot in the pupil.

One way to protect your vision is to make a commitment to take care of your eyes today, including getting a dliated eye exam every year. For more information on cataract, including Medicare coverage, contact Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or visit www.preventblindness.org.

__________________________________

What is Low Vision?

Low vision is a significant loss of eyesight that can't be improved with regular eyeglasses, contacts, medicine, or surgery. It makes everyday activities like reading, writing, shopping, and driving difficult or impossible. Millions of people are impacted, most commonly those aged 60 an over. We all have someone in our life that is aging - parent, grandparent, sibling or friend. It's worth taking a moment to learn more about low vision. Check out this infographic from The Vision Council.

____________________________________