At Anythink, we want to make information available to you that will help you live your best life. Health issues can be stressful, but with the right information they can be managed. October is Eye Injury Prevention Month and today I'd like to share information with you about keeping your eyes healthy and your vision pristine.

Americans agree that eyesight has a huge impact on day-to-day living and is one of the senses they fear losing most. Always wear protective glasses when doing anything that can cause debris, sparks or chemicals to fly into the eyes. This includes activities such as mowing the lawn, using a saw and spray painting.

Unfortunately, people often do not pay attention to their eye health unless they notice a problem. Many common eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), often have no early warning signs or symptoms.

Having regular eye exams to make sure the eyes are healthy and seeing
their best is important for everyone. In addition to having regular eye exams, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and wearing protective eyewear are just a few other things you can do to protect your sight.

Not everyone is covered by vision insurance. Many state and national programs provide financial assistance to people in need of eye care and corrective eyewear. You may want to contact the following organizations if you need help covering the cost of an eye exam and glasses or contact lenses:

EyeCare America - EyeCare America provides access to eye care for the medically underserved and those at increased risk for eye disease through a corps of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities. Founded in 1985, EyeCare America is the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For more information, contact the EyeCare Program helpline toll-free at 1–800–222–EYES (3937), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Vision USA- Volunteers In Service In Our Nation (VISION USA) provides basic eye health and vision services, free of charge, to low-income, uninsured individuals and their families. Participating optometrists of the American Optometric Association have been donating their services to VISION USA since 1991. For more information call 1–800–766–4466.

Lions Clubs International Foundation- Lions Clubs International is a service organization whose local club members are all volunteers. A local Lions club in or near your community may sponsor a program that may help you buy corrective eyewear or obtain eye health care. Click the link above to find a Club near you.

Anythink also has many resources to help you keep on top of your eye health.

Books:

Fact and Fiction of Healthy Vision: Eye Care for Adults and Children by Clyde K. Kitchen, M.D. - Written by a practicing ophthalmologist, this book explains the eye and how it develops and functions – or can malfunction, especially as we age –and what our options are to maximize or retain eye health. Dr. Kitchen also explains the many treatments and surgical options available, as well as myths and false beliefs or promises that are common in relation to eye health and treatments today.

Macular Disease: Practical Strategies for Living with Vision Loss by Peggy R. Wolfe - This book's positive, take-charge approach provides encouragement to both the newly diagnosed and those at later stages of their disease by showing ways to compensate for their declining sight. 

LASIK: A Guide to Laser Vision Correction by Ernest Kornmehl, M.D. - before you entrust your eyes to a surgeon, make sure you become an informed consumer. In LASIK: A Guide to Laser Vision Correction, three ophthalmologists, who together have performed more than 65,000 LASIK procedures, help you understand what the surgery involves.

Databases:

Consumer Health Complete - Find comprehensive information on all areas of health and wellness, from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. You will need your library card number to access this database from home.

MedlinePlus - Learn information about drugs, latest health news, and find answers to health questions. An illustrated medical encyclopedia and interactive patient tutorials are also available.