August is National Eye Exam Month, a month dedicated to the importance of eye health and safety. Although the summer is shortly coming to an end, the UV Rays are still high and it’s important to take proper precautions to protect yourself from the sun.

You may think you have healthy eyes and have no symptoms of vision problems, but if you are between the ages of 40 and 65, you should have your vision checked every 2-4 years; and at 65+, every 1-2 years.  Some individuals may have a family history of eye disease or a chronic illness that can affect your vision.  This puts you at a greater risk of vision problems, and therefore it is vital that you get your eyes checked more often than most.

If you would like to receive a free eye exam, check EyeCare America to see if you qualify.  For more information, please visit EyeCareAmerica.org.

Not only is August National Eye Exam Month, but it is also Cataracts Awareness Month.  People over the age of 55 should be very cautious of Cataracts, an eye disease that clouds the lens of the eyes and can lead to vision loss.  Those who have Cataracts Disease may experience, extremely blurry vision, a glare, colors that may appear faded and double vision.

To educate you more on this disease, the American Academy of Ophthalmology sponsors awareness sessions and information workshops during the month of August.  For more information, be sure to contact your ophthalmologist or visit AAO.org.