Did you know that 40% of U.S. adults at high risk for vision loss did not receive an eye exam in the last year? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 93 million Americans are at risk for serious vision loss, but many are not accessing timely eye care due to cost, lack of awareness, or limited access to services. Although vision loss can affect anyone, people from underserved communities, including communities of color, older adults, and those living with chronic conditions like diabetes, often face greater risk of vision complications and may have less access to timely, high-quality eye care.

In July, we recognize Healthy Vision Month as part of our initiative to encourage and expand access to routine eye health screenings and care. Vision screenings are imperative to maintaining eye health, especially as many common eye diseases develop gradually and may not have symptoms in their early stages. Regular exams can help detect conditions such as:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Astigmatism
• Dry eye syndrome
• Color blindness

Some eye conditions do present symptoms, and it’s important to seek treatment if you experience:

• Blurred or double vision
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Sudden vision loss or flashes of light
• Frequent headaches
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness, swelling, or excessive tearing

This Healthy Vision Month, we encourage you to make your eye health a top priority. Early detection of eye issues can prevent serious vision loss and improve your overall quality of life. At Whittier, our full-service Ophthalmology department offers routine eye exams, emergency services, contact lens fittings, and an eyewear dispensary for all of your optical health needs—to learn more, please visit https://www.wshc.org/services/eye-care/.