Are You at Risk?

Your eyesight is vital to your daily living.  But unfortunately many Americans don’t pay attention to their eye health until their vision is a problem.

Many common eye diseases like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration can lead to vision loss and blindness, yet have no early warning signs or symptoms.

According to The National Eye Institute, you might be at higher risk for eye disease if you have a family history of eye disease; have diabetes; are African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native; or are older than 50.

In honor of Healthy Vision Month, The National Eye Institute encourages you to assess your risk level:

• Glaucoma, which affects your side or peripheral vision first, is three times more common in African Americans than in Whites.  It is a leading cause of blindness in African Americans.
• Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness caused by uncontrolled diabetes, occurs more often in Hispanics/Latinos than in Whites.
• American Indians and Alaska Natives are 35 percent more likely to have diabetes than the average adult in the United States, putting them at increased risk of diabetic eye disease.
• Older adults are at higher risk of developing age-related eye diseases and conditions such as AMD, glaucoma, or cataract.  AMD is a leading cause of blindness in Whites.

But no matter what your background might be, Indianapolis eye doctors recommend having regular eye exams to ensure the best eye health.  See Dr. Tavel and his board certified associates for your comprehensive exam!