What you do not know about eye health can harm you

Not knowing the simple facts could help protect from vision loss. For example, only about one-third of Americans know that even before symptoms show eye diseases can steal your sight.That's because your brain adapts to vision loss, less than half of adults notice due to the slow decline. 

Did you know:

• The many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. Your vision may be almost completely gone before you realize you are affected. That's because of how gradual the disease begins.
• A symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is sudden blurriness or trouble seeing colors and fine details. These symptoms are sudden and quickly become worse. 

Could you be at risk of losing your vision?

 Certain groups have a higher risk of eye problems than others. knowing that puts you a step ahead of most adults.

If you're in a high-risk group, making sure you get regular eye exams so that your doctor can help catch diseases early.

By the age 65, about one-third of Americans develop some kind of vision reducing eye disease. Growing older is not always how your vision is lost. 

Luckily, there are easy steps you can take as you age to protect your eyes.

More than just your eyes are affected by vision loss

More than half of Americans know the risks of injury and death increased by vision loss. But the impacts of vision loss are underappreciated by most Americans, the survey reveals.

What few people realize is that declining eyesight can worsen the effects of other chronic illnesses. And only 1 in 4 adults know that psychological problems such as social isolation and depression can be tied to vision loss. 

Protect sight to empower lives

By diagnosing eye disease early, ophthalmologists "“ physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care can treat them more effectively than ever before. But for patients with diagnosed diseases these advances are meaningless. Nor can they help patients who remain unaware of the seriousness of their disease.

Before its too late it's important to get help. Far too often, ophthalmologists witness patients entering their office too late to avoid severe vision loss.

 All Americans in 2020 should have clear vision when it comes to eye health. That starts with educating yourself and sharing what you know with others. Learn more about the Academy's 2020 campaign to Educate, Celebrate, Inspire. Get the 2020 toolkit, including links to download the infographics in this article, and get involved.

Together, we can build a clearer future.