May 2013 - Healthy Vision Month
Vision has a huge impact on your life and day to day activities, such as reading, working, and driving. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, vision disorders are the seventh most common chronic condition in the United States. Approximately 10 million people in the United States are blind or visually impaired.
Adults and children of all ages are at risk for vision impairment. Therefore, it is important to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Eye screenings in children help detect eye problems such as amblyopia, a common cause of vision impairment which if left untreated can cause permanent vision loss. Because many common diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration often do not have warning signs, early screening in adults can help detect eye disease and preserve good, healthy vision.
WAYS TO KEEP YOUR VISION HEALTHY:
- Get Screened Early – It is important to get screened before the symptoms actually occur. One of the best ways to protect vision is to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Getting screened early will help reduce your risk of vision loss and allow you to treat eye diseases before symptoms progress.
- Wear Sunglasses – Remember to protect your eyes from sun rays. Sunglasses help prevent retinal damage, cancerous and non-cancerous growth on the eye, and also reduce the risk of skin cancer around the eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses that block 99%-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.
- Protect Your Eyes – Safety glasses or goggles can protect your eyes from injury, vision loss, and blindness. Be sure to wear proper eye protection when you are working in an environment that puts you at risk for getting a flying particle, chemical, or blood borne pathogen in your eyes.
- Take a Break from the Computer Screen – Constantly looking at the computer screen can strain vision. To reduce eye strain, try the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.
For more information and tips on preserving vision, visit www.geteyesmart.org. To schedule an eye exam, please call the UI Hospitals and Clinics Eye Clinic at 319-356-2852.
Goal Ideas - May 2013
Physical Activity goal
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I will take the stairs instead of the elevator during the work week.
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I will bike to work or an alternative location to substitute the use of a vehicle.
Nutrition goal
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I will explore a garden to plant myself or investigate alternative local food sources like CSA’s (Community Support Agriculture).
Stress Management goal
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I will take 5 minutes during my workday to close my eyes and practice deep breathing.
Professional Development goal
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I will take 5 minutes of my work day to stretch for better energy and productivity
Mental Health
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I will take a break during the day outside and notice one new thing with each walk.
Environmental goal
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I will buy packaged foods in reusable containers to cut down on paper and plastic.
Personal development
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I will go to UI Wellness and visit with one of the health coaches to help me learn how to meet my goals. http://www.uiowa.edu/livewell/health_coach.html