March is National Save Your Vision Month
Save Your Vision Month in March reminds us that eye health is important to aging and living well.
According to the National Institute on Aging, vision changes are common as we age. In 2021, more than one-quarter of U.S. adults age 71 and older had vision impairment, according to a study on health and aging trends. Common vision changes include difficulty distinguishing colors, adjusting to light changes and seeing close up.
Getting your eyes checked is the first step to protecting your vision and addressing any vision loss. Comprehensive eye exams are performed by ophthalmologists and optometrists. If needed, they can prescribe vision aids, like glasses or contacts, or prescribe medicines. The National Eye Institute provides resources to find free or low-cost eye care.
There are changes you can make now to help your vision. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares these tips for maintaining healthy eyes:
Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Take a break from computers or screens.
Eat healthy foods for proper nutrition. Texercise provides tools and resources to make learning about nutrition easier.
Know your family’s health history. Being aware of any eye-related diseases or conditions in your family can help doctors know what to look for when they perform their eye exam.
For more information, connecting to local resources can be helpful:
Prevent Blindness Texas has information about eye-related diseases and resources that can help.
The Texas Workforce Commission Older Individuals Who are Blind Program connects people 55 and older who have vision loss with resources and helpful tools.
The Texas Health and Human Services Vision Loss in Older Adults page has a variety of programs and resources to help maintain eye health and connect to resources.
The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps individuals with vision loss get ready for a job, or find or keep a job.
Written by HHS Office of Aging Services Coordination
