Other Health Problems (NAPSA)—Did you know a regular eye exam may detect problems including diabetes, high blood pressure or even tumors? In addition, eye exams can catch the early stages of eye diseases, including glaucoma. “Tt is important to understand that just because you don’t detect a change in your vision, you still need to have regular eye exams,” said Dr. Michael Lawrence Cohen, vice president, Professional Services, Sears Optical. “Regular eye exams may prevent sight loss through the early diagnosis of eye disease, which, if undetected and untreated, may cause blindness.” That’s why Sears Optical is sponsoring National Eye Exam Month”, an educational and philanthropic effort to increase awareness of the importance of regular eye exams. National Eye Exam Month runs throughout August. Did you know: * Two out of three Americans need vision correction. That’s 66 percent of Americans whoare driving, playing sports, sitting in classrooms, reading to their kids and carrying on with their lives— with an outdated prescription or the need for glasses. * Only 14 percent of American children have received an eye exam by the age of 5. The American Optometric Association suggests that children receive a complete eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3 and anotherbefore starting kindergarten. * Treatment of Amblyopia (lazy eye) before the age of 5 is critical to reversing the condition. * Almost 80,000 Americans are blind from glaucoma, and another million are at risk for vision loss because they don’t know they have it—and it can be preventedif treated early. * People between the ages of 52 and 64 have a 50 percent chance of having a cataract, but they probably won’t see a change in their vision until age 65. “For children, it is important to catch any vision problemsas early as possible. After all, children don’t necessarily know when they are not seeing properly,” said Dr. Cohen. “Undetected vision problems may affect their academic performance and possibly further sight loss.” Before the kids head back to school, take the entire family to the doctor for an eye exam. Your future is too precious to risk. For more information, visit www.sears optical.com.
