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Show How much are your eyes worth? much are vour eves worth? That s the Prevention of question the Utah 'Society of the Blindness is asking this month, which is How National Sight Saving Month. Chances are that you won't even try to put a your vision, because eyesight is just too price valuable. To safeguard precious vision according to ISPB. parents should see to it that their children receive professional eye exams shortly after birth, again by the age of four with perixlic checkups through the grow ing years. After childhood, eyesight tends to level off or 4()'s. At this and remain stable until their to tend adults eyes. But its neglect point, time for a professional examination again, whether or not problems have presented themselves. The Utah Society recommends an eye checkup at age 35 and at least every other year thereafter. on mid-30'- s One of the reasons for this is glaucoma, called, the sneak thief of sight" because in its early stages it may easily go unnoticed. As leading cause of blindness, glaucoma is associated with too much fluid pressure within the eye. This pressure cuts off blood supply to the tiny nerve cells and fibers that line the retina of the eye, and so eventually will destroy the nerves that carry vision to the optic nerve and the brain. Since the destruction is not reversible, glaucoma must be diagnosed and treated in its early stages, when medical techniques can bring further damage to a halt. Another condition common as early as age 40 trombone is presbyopia, sometimes called see cannot individual because the vision hold to tends and reading clearly at close range material farther and farther away. Presbyopia is caused by loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, but properly prescribed eyeglasses correct this vision problem. . blinHeading the list of eye disorders causing to related dness and one that is particularly of the lens of the aging is cataract, a clouding most eye. It is said that if we live long enough, condition. this of us will develop The Utah Society for the Prevention of Blind- : TWO WAYS-BU- Y THE CASE Oft HALF CAS ness estimates that 54 percent of the population, of 40 years of age or older, have some form or 74 percent, cataract. Over 60, the figure is three people out of four. About 37,000 Utahns will develop a cataract problem this year, according to Orv Helgeson, Executive Director of the Society. As a cataract develops, it may be noticeable of a as spots, ghost images, the impression skim over the eyes, troubles with lights and other signs. It may be noticeable to others as a black pupil in the milky spot in the normally eye. Fortunately, treatment is operations a restored vision cataract is usually curable. The one of the safest surgery can undergo, offering patient in 95 out of 100 operable cases. The condition is usually progressive; surgery can be done when the patient feels that the caused by the degree of vision impairment normal achis with cataract is interfering of tivities. Cataract surgery consists of removal in home the clouded lens; most patients now go a about five days. Then the patients must have usually replacement for the missing lens,lenses. or contact cataract eyeglasses special These and other changes in vision and in the are explained eye itself that come with the years The Aging in the Societys pamphlet, Blindness, Prevent Eye. For a free copy write 84115. Utah Lake Salt City, 2033 South State, should In adulthood, as at any age, eve safety for accidents too ofalways be a consideration, visual to impairment and ten needlessly lead even lost sight. occur An estimated 41 percent of eye injuries in the home. Among the causes, caustic alkalis and acids such as those contained in household chemical burns to cleaning products can cause in the case of aerosols, compounded the eye of contact. First aid for any such force the by chemical contact with the eye is flood the eye with water immediately and continuously for at least 15 minutes. Then see a doctor. hobbies Gardening, outdoor work and home also present hazards, especially where power equipment is involved. Power offlawnmowers, debris that chain saws and drills can throw imconsiderable may hit the face and eyes with can devices such fans using pact. an inexpensive pair of from get protection worn alone, or over orplastic cover goggles dinary streetwear glasses. More and more hardware and mill supply stores are selling such goggles, but if yours of your doesnt, check the classified pages Industrial Equipment telephone directory for and Supplies or Safety Devices. |