Healthy Vision Month: Protecting Your Sight Starts Now
May is Healthy Vision Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about eye health and the steps we can take to protect our vision for life.
Cataract Awareness Month: See the Signs, Save Your Sight
Cataract Awareness Month: See the Signs, Save Your Sight
June is Cataract Awareness Month, a time to spotlight one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness—cataracts. While cataracts are common, especially as we age, early detection and treatment can preserve your vision and quality of life.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, making it harder to see clearly. Over time, this clouding can worsen, leading to significant vision impairment or even blindness if left untreated.
Common symptoms include:
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Blurry or cloudy vision
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Faded colors
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Sensitivity to light and glare
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Difficulty seeing at night
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Seeing “halos” around lights
Why Awareness Matters
Cataracts affect more than 24 million Americans over age 40, and by age 75, about half of all adults will have cataracts. The good news? Cataracts are treatable with surgery, and outcomes are overwhelmingly positive.
But early detection is key.
The Importance of Early Detection
Many people don’t realize they have a cataract until their vision is noticeably affected. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch cataracts early—before they interfere with daily life.
Early diagnosis allows:
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Monitoring of progression
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Timely treatment decisions
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Better surgical outcomes
Protecting Your Vision
You can lower your risk or delay the onset of cataracts with simple healthy habits:
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Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
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Eat a diet rich in antioxidants (leafy greens, fruits, fish)
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Quit smoking
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Manage health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
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Schedule regular eye exams
Treatment Is Safe and Effective
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common procedures in the U.S., with a high success rate. It involves replacing the clouded lens with a clear artificial one, often restoring vision quickly.
Final Thoughts
Cataracts don’t have to mean the end of clear vision. This Cataract Awareness Month, take a proactive step toward eye health—book an eye exam, know the signs, and talk to loved ones about the importance of early detection.
See the signs. Take action. Protect your sight.
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