Vision Awareness

By: Arya Jethwa

Imagine trying to focus in class, reading a menu, or trying to cross the road when everything around you is a blur. For millions of people this is their everyday reality. Poor vision can affect people's lives from their school and job, to their safety and emotional health. 

According to the National Library of medicine, there are 2.2 billion people in the world who currently have some form of vision impairment. Many more people deal with symptoms such as dry eyes, headaches, and eyestrain but have never gotten a vision exam.  Bad vision can come from many causes. Some of the most common are genetic predisposition, refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia), age, or more serious conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Having poor vision isn't just about needing glasses or contacts. It can make day to day tasks like ,reading small print, driving safely, and recognising faces, significantly more difficult and tiring. In school students with undiagnosed vision problems might fall behind because they can't see their textbooks or the board clearly. At work adults might struggle with fatigue or eye strain.

Poor vision can also take a toll on mental and emotional health. The national eye institute reports that people with vision loss are more likely to develop depression or anxiety. Losing the ability to do things independently can lead to feelings of isolation or low self esteem. Even simple things like walking around unfamiliar places can become overwhelming.

This is why regular eye exams are so important. Optometrists are trained eye care professionals who diagnose vision problems, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and check for serious eye conditions. The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their eyes checked by age 3 and continue with checkups every one or two years. Adults should also get regular eye checkups, especially if they wear glasses, use screens often, or have a history of eye conditions.

There are also other small steps you can take everyday to protect your vision. These include wearing sunglasses outdoors , taking breaks from screens , staying hydrated, and eating food that supports eye health like carrots, spinach, and sweet potato.

Good vision isn't just a personal health matter. It affects education, workplace productivity, and personal safety. Students and adults with untreated vision problems may struggle in school or at work, leading to missed opportunities and lower productivity. Vision impairment also impacts safety and independence. Taking care of your eyes helps improve both individual well-being and the overall health of the community.

Healthy vision month is a reminder that your eyes deserve just as much care as the rest of our body. Whether your vision is perfect or if you struggle to see clearly, taking care of your eyes can lead to a healthier and more confident life.

Works Cited

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grandjunctioneyecare.com/eye-care-blog/what-is-good-vision/.

“Comprehensive Eye Exams.” Www.aoa.org,   www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams.

CDC. “Vision and Eye Health.” Vision and Eye Health, 21 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/vision-health/.

Demmin, Docia L, and Steven M Silverstein. “Visual Impairment and Mental Health: Unmet Needs and Treatment Options.” Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), vol. 14, no. 14, 2020, pp. 4229–4251, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7721280/, https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S258783.

Cleveland Clinic. “Low Vision: Causes, Treatment, & Prevention .” Cleveland Clinic, 2015, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8585-low-vision.

Cleveland Clinic. “Blurred Vision: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic, 4 Oct. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24262-blurred-vision.

Vimont, Celia . “36 Fabulous Foods to Boost Eye Health.” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 10 Jan. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/fabulous-foods-your-eyes.