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September is Healthy Aging Month

With September “Healthy Aging Month,” the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institute of Health, recommends patients over 50 talk to their eye doctors about yearly comprehensive dilated eye exams. Unlike a basic exam for glasses or contacts, a comprehensive dilated eye exam actually examines the back of your eyes and can catch vision-decreasing eye diseases before symptoms start to show. Eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma can all lead to partial or full sight loss. “By the time symptoms of vision loss are noticeable, the damage is often permanent,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. However, when these diseases are caught early, they can often be treated or repaired before substantial damage occurs to the eye. For more information, tips for finding an eye care professional, or a list of organizations that can help provide financial assistance for eye care, visit the National Eye Institute (NEI) Healthy Eyes website at http://www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye

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