Every January, we are faced with the task of making New Year's resolutions. Often, by the end of the month, the resolutions have already been broken or long forgotten. This year, The Jewish Guild for the Blind, one of the nation's foremost not-for-profit vision care agencies, is encouraging everyone, young and old, to make one resolution that's easy to keep - Get your eyes checked!
The Guild recommends having a thorough professional eye exam at least once every two years to prevent vision problems and catch potential problems early. Eye muscle strain often causes headaches, nausea, general fatigue, tenseness and discomfort, so if you need glasses, wear them.
Additionally, young children can't tell if something is wrong with their vision, therefore regular eye exams should begin at age three or even earlier. Problems in school because of poor vision increase with each grade level. Parents should watch for simple signs that may indicate their child has a vision problem, including excessive blinking, rubbing eyes, tilting head to one side, stumbling over small objects, holding a book too close and sitting too close to the TV or computer screen.
Simple Do's and Don'ts of Eye Care from The Jewish Guild for the Blind
DO...
* use enough light for best vision and comfort
* be extra careful and wear safety lenses when working with tools
* look away when opening cans containing liquids
* remove all objects that stick out at eye level at home, the office or at school
* teach children to be careful with sticks, stones, etc.
* choose safe toys for children
* keep scissors and other sharp instruments out of children's reach
DON'T...
* neglect having eyes checked at least once every two years
* use over the counter eye remedies or treatments unless advised by your physician
* let children play with sharp pointed objects
* wear sunglasses for night driving or in fog
* look directly at the sun, even while wearing sunglasses
* work in dimly lit areas
* rub eyes with dirty hands
* use fireworks of any kind
We hope you will make this one New Year's resolution you do keep. Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2012!
Sincerely,
Karlene Kreutzer
Andrea & Associates on behalf of The Jewish Guild for the Blind
For more tips and additional information on The Jewish Guild for the Blind, please visit www.jgb.org.
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