Vision research provides proactive opportunities to increase your chance for future eye health. What you do now affects what your eyes will do for you later in life. By learning the facts and properly protecting your eyes, you will help decrease the chance of developing an age-related eye disease.

Did you know?

• More than 38 million Americans age 40 and older are visually impaired or have an age-related eye disease.
• Five million Americans age 50 and older suffer from dry eye, which can cause pain, permanently damage the eye and reduce productivity.
• Damage from UV exposure can cause cataracts or be a factor in macular degeneration a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for "straight-ahead" activities such as reading, sewing and driving.
• People who have had cataract surgery, other retinal disorders, take medications such as: tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control, diuretics and tranquilizers are especially at risk from UV exposure.
• Harmful UV rays are present from the sun reflecting on sand, water asphalt and snow.

Thanks to vision research, you can practice these tips to safely enjoy your summer! Also, checkout www.preventblindness.org/uv/ to test your UV knowledge and stay updated on the latest UV eye research.

• Whether playing on the beach, working in the yard, walking to the grocery store or driving to work everyone should wear eyewear that blocks 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
• Wear a brimmed hat.
• Wraparound sunglasses are most effective in protecting delicate skin around the eye.
• UV rays are most intense 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Prevention protects your vision's future. Ask your doctor for more ways to improve your eyes' health or visit these helpful web sites for more information about vision research: www.eyeresearch.org, www.preventblindness.org, and www.nei.nih.gov/health.

Stay tuned for next month's Health Highlight on UV Protection and learn more ways to protect yourself from the sun throughout the year.

Source: http://www.eyeresearch.org/pdf/RA_Vision_08_V5.pdf, http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye.asp, and http://www.preventblindness.org/news/releases/UV08-National2.pdf