Save Your Vision Month:Ophthalmology flight gives tips for good eye health

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO -- Imagine going to a basketball game, driving the lane, taking an elbow to the face and then everything gets blurry. The crowd turns to a haze and you fall to the ground. You're the next victim of an accidental sports eye injury and may lose your career; you may even lose your sight.

Imagine waking up but your whole world is fuzzy; the annoying spot in your vision has turned to a veil over your entire field of vision.

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Bryan Angle, chief of ophthalmology at the base eye clinic, said that there are several simple ways to protect your vision.

March is designated as Save Your Vision Month and Colonel Angle said that luckily, there are ways to prevent loss of sight.

Colonel Angle said that ocular trauma, such as sports injuries, is the number one cause of vision loss in young people, which he said is especially pertinent for the active duty community. He said that he has seen numerous basketball or other sports eye injuries that resulted in active duty members, including pilots, losing their careers because of the injuries they sustained. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that there are thousands of sports and recreation-related injuries each year that could be prevented with protective eyewear that is appropriate for the sport.

The AAO also cautions people to wear protective eyewear when doing hazardous activities around the home or workplace, including mowing the lawn, changing your car battery and working with any other hazardous chemicals to prevent splashes and other flying debris. Colonel Angle recommends wearing safety glasses when working with metal, using nail guns or when doing any kind of woodworking.

"AOS glasses can be purchased at local hardware stores for about $10 and they're pretty near indestructible. Ten dollars is cheap and it's a lot cheaper than losing an eye," he said.

AOS glasses are also available in tinted lenses with ultraviolet protection. Colonel Angle said that ultraviolet protection is very important, especially in the southwest. He added that just because sunglasses are expensive does not mean they are quality protection so you should look for safety-grade lenses and sturdy frames.

According to the AAO, studies show that exposure to bright light can damage the eyes over time. Colonel Angle said that people living in the southwest are at a higher risk for this kind of damage not only because of the amount of sunlight the region sees each year, but because of the reflective light off white and tan surfaces. Damage from sunlight can also lead to glaucoma, Colonel Angel said. Children should also be wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.

According to the AAO 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented. Colonel Angle said that the biggest mistake people make in terms of eye health is not wearing eye protection, including safety glasses, sunglasses and protection for sports.

Eye diseases and other health problems can also cause vision loss. Routine exams are essential in early detection of eye problems and ensuring overall eye health. Diabetes and hypertension both affect the blood vessels in the eyes and can cause damage to the retina. Colonel Angel said that one in eight people in the southwest has diabetes. Diabetes is also the largest cause of vision impairment or loss in the elderly, said Colonel Angle. He said it is important to be aware of family history of eye diseases and to inform your optometrist or ophthalmologist of any vision problems or medical conditions you have.

The American Optometric Association has an interactive Web-based version of their American Eye-Q survey to test eye knowledge and provide information. The survey is available at www.aoa.org.

For more information about eye health, call your ophthalmologist or optometrist.