According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), most folks fall short when it comes to knowledge about eye diseases.
👁️ Although 81% of the 3500 surveyed adults were knowledgeable about vision health, only 19% knew the three main causes of blindness in the United States: glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.
👁️ Only 47% knew that vision loss and blindness don't affect all people equally, and just 37% knew that people don't always have symptoms before they lose their vision to eye diseases. In addition, less than half (47%) knew that because it adapts to vision loss, the brain can make it difficult to know if you are losing your vision.
How can you know for sure? Get an eye exam! Everyone should get an eye exam at least once a year, and go see an eye doctor immediately when noticing any changes in vision.
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is dedicated to empowering adults with profound vision loss or who are blind lead independent and active lives. If you or a loved one is experiencing severe vision loss, and would like some information, reach out to us to find out more about our programs and how we can help by emailing Linda Groszew, our Program Director, at LGroszew@vlanj.org or calling 973-627-0055 ext 1312.
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