Seeing Clearly: Protect Your Vision During Vision Awareness Month
October is Vision Awareness Month, and it’s also recognized as Contact Lens Safety Month and Inflammatory Eye Disease Awareness Month. These observances highlight one important truth: protecting your eyesight today helps preserve your independence and quality of life for the future.
Protecting Your Sight from Common Eye Diseases
Serious eye diseases often develop quietly. Conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration may not cause pain or obvious symptoms early on—but they can lead to permanent vision loss. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to catch problems before they become serious.
Contact Lens Safety Tips
If you wear contacts, good hygiene is non-negotiable. Always wash your hands before handling lenses, replace your lens case regularly, and never sleep in your lenses unless prescribed. Avoid rinsing lenses with tap water, and follow replacement schedules closely. If your eyes feel irritated, red, or painful, remove your lenses and contact your eye doctor.
Recognizing Inflammatory Eye Diseases
Inflammatory conditions like uveitis or keratitis can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. These should always be taken seriously and treated promptly to prevent long-term damage.
Steps Everyone Can Take for Healthy Vision
- Schedule regular eye exams
- Protect your eyes from UV rays with quality sunglasses
- Maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle
- Take breaks from digital screens to reduce strain
This October, make your vision a priority. Whether it’s updating your contact lens routine, scheduling a checkup, or simply being more mindful of your eye health, small steps now can make a big difference later.
