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Save Your Vision Month is observed throughout March, serving as a crucial annual reminder to prioritize eye health. As digital screens dominate our lives, protecting our vision from strain and blue light exposure is more important than ever. Schedule comprehensive eye exams, adopt healthy screen habits, and learn about preventative care to safeguard your sight.
Want to sponsor Save Your Vision Month? Learn how
History of Save Your Vision Month
Save Your Vision Month is sponsored by the American Optometric Association. The observation aims to increase awareness about eye care and instill good habits. With the demanding nature of our jobs and social lives requiring us to stare at screens, many people neglect to protect their eyes. Overexposure to screens and even the sun, not getting adequate sleep, and an unhealthy diet can contribute to eye strain and bad eyesight.
A recent survey found that the average American spends at least seven hours a day using electronic devices, and prolonged use over a period can damage our vision, disturb our sleep patterns, and affect our overall health. Having our eyes glued to our mobile screens, T.V. screens, or laptop screens has become second nature for most of us, and we take our sight for granted. Interestingly, even though technology continues to advance, we have failed to cultivate good eye-care practices that are essential for everyone to follow at this point.
Delaying eye checkups worsens the situation. Just like visiting the dentist regularly is a must for all, so is getting regular eye checkups. Save Your Vision Month is a saving grace, promoting and campaigning for better eye health habits. Funds raised go to Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation.
Save Your Vision Month timeline
The first ophthalmic hospital is established in London.
Sir John Herschel suggests the idea of contact lenses.
Hermann von Helmholtz invents the ophthalmoscope.
The theme for Save Your Vision Month is ‘Focus on limiting eye strain from digital blue light.’
Save Your Vision Month FAQs
When is Save Your Vision Month?
In 2027, Save Your Vision Month will also be observed for the entire month of March, from Monday, March 1, to Wednesday, March 31. This annual observance serves as a vital reminder for all ages to prioritize eye health.
How many Americans have vision impairment?
Estimates suggest that by 2050, the number of Americans with vision impairment or blindness could double to more than 14 million. Regular eye exams are crucial for identifying and managing conditions before they worsen.
What is the 20-20-20 rule for eye health?
Adopting the 20-20-20 rule is a highly recommended practice for anyone spending significant time on digital devices. It’s an easy way to give your eyes a much-needed break and maintain comfort throughout the day.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
While both optometrists and ophthalmologists are eye care professionals, their training and scope of practice differ significantly. Optometrists are doctors of optometry (O.D.), while ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.) specializing in eye health and surgery.
How to Observe Save Your Vision Month
Schedule an appointment
Visit your eye specialist and get eye examinations done. Follow the requirements for safeguarding your vision.
Improve your diet
A poor diet leads to poor vision in the long run. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and make sure that your body doesn’t have any deficiencies.
Avoid squinting
Many of us squint as a reflex and it has become a habit. After getting your eyes checked, get the correct lenses for correcting your vision instead so you won’t have to squint when looking at objects.
5 Tips On How To Protect Your Vision
Eat properly
Make leafy vegetables a staple in your diet, and eat food rich in Omega-3 too.
Take vitamin supplements
A healthy diet is for maintenance while adding supplements to your routine will boost your vision.
Practice the 20-20-20 rule
When staring at a screen, after 20 minutes, look away toward an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Wear sunglasses
Exposure to the sun causes irreversible damage to the eyes, so shield your eyes with sunglasses.
Take care of the skin around the eyes
It is delicate, so absolute care must be taken when applying sunscreen or makeup around the eyes.
Why Save Your Vision Month is Important
Our eyes are a blessing
Sight is a gift that we should not take for granted. Eye damage is potent and for life, so it is important to take care of the one set of eyes we have.
Prevention is better
It is better to prevent eye strain and damage than to spend a lifetime treating it. Take all the necessary steps to reduce vision loss and keep your eyes healthy.
It encourages better eye care practices
Digital devices and screen time are not going away anytime soon, so building good habits throughout Save Your Vision Month and beyond would be beneficial to everyone.
