Salt Lake City 4/16/2013 3:19:53 AM
Vision: Do you Need Yours Corrected?
Whether you are currently wearing corrective lenses, be it contacts or glasses, you are not alone. People of all ages are in need of corrective eyewear. In fact, the numbers are actually quite staggering.
It is reported that an alarming 75% of Americans wear some type of corrective lens. This divides into 64% of the population wearing glasses and 11% wearing contact lenses. This equates to around 150 million Americans wearing some type of eyewear.
If you are one of the Americans who need corrective eyewear, which you probably are, you have a few options. You can wear glasses, contact lenses or have Lasik surgery to correct the deficit in your vision.
Glasses are a popular option for those who need vision correction. They are easily removed when you are ready to rest. Many people also like glasses because they are a one-time investment. You don’t have to buy new ones every few months. With so many people wearing glasses, designs have become fashionable and can add to your sense of style.
Contacts are often chosen by those who need constant vision correction, but don’t want to bother with glasses. Contacts don’t have frames, won’t fog up and don’t alter your physical appearance. Many people like contacts because you put them in in the morning, don’t worry about them all day and remove them at night. You can choose from lenses that last a few months, a few weeks or single-use contact lenses.
Many people with vision impairments opt to have a corrective surgery called Lasik. This surgery eliminates the need for glasses or contacts. You no longer have to worry about corrective lenses on a daily basis. Lasik can fix nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. This surgery does come with a hefty price tag and is not covered by your vision insurance. Cost varies by state and doctor, but the average price Americans are paying for Lasik is $2,000 an eye.
With so many people needing corrective eyewear, eye health is something that should be important to everyone. You can’t control your vision. Much of your vision is something you were born with. However, there are a few small things you can do to help maintain healthy eyes and eyesight.
Make sure you have a healthy diet. The food you eat can help keep your eyes healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamins C and E can help keep your eyes from age related vision problems. A balanced diet also helps your eyes by keeping you at a healthy weight. An unhealthy weight can cause type-2 diabetes, which can cause blindness in adults.
Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays. If your eyes are exposed to UV rays often, you are more likely to develop cataracts and macular degeneration. When you are purchasing sunglasses, make sure they provide protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Finally, quit smoking. Smoking can be linked to poor eye health. Smoking makes you more likely to get cataracts, macular degeneration and can cause optic nerve damage.
