In order to promote healthy vision, optometrists and ophthalmologists have declared January as National Eye Care Month. Their goal is to "preserve sight by raising awareness about eye disease and providing access to medical eye care."
With every month being dedicated to one cause or another, something as important as vision is worth paying attention to.
So what can you do to celebrate this national month of eye health?
One way is to schedule eye appointments for the entire family. It is advised that you get your eyes checked every year as it is an important part of your overall health and ensures continued healthy vision.
According to the American Optometric Association, infants should have their first exam at six months of age. Then they should receive additional eye exams at three years of age and just before they start kindergarten or grade one at about age five or six.
Another way to observe Nation Eye Care Month is to donate your old glasses to people who need them. They can be given to local charities or many optometrists and stores that sell eyeglasses have receptacles in their waiting rooms where they can be dropped off. Lions Clubs in many cities are also involved in collecting and distributing old glasses. Once they are donated the glasses will be cleaned and sorted by prescription by eye care professionals.
While we may have a drawer full of glasses with old prescriptions in frames that are no longer considered to be stylish, these can be put to good use in developing countries or parts of our own country. Think about this as the ultimate way to recycle.
This donation may be enough to help someone see well enough to become self sufficient by attending school or obtaining employment.
In these difficult times, take the time to donate those old glasses so you can make a difference to someone with poor vision who cannot afford to purchase the necessary eyewear.
If you would like to look into the program to see how you could obtain used glasses or frames, check with an eye clinic in your area for advice on how to go about doing it.
