World Sight Day: Take the #EyePledge and Get Your Eyes Tested

Good Vision Does Not Guarantee Good Eye Health

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Oct 03, 2014, 03:15 ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- If you can see clearly, you probably believe your eyes are healthy. This may be true – but not always. To maintain good eye health, the American Optometric Association recommends that everyone – including children – have regular, comprehensive eye exams conducted by an eye care professional (ECP).[1]

World Sight Day is October 9th. Help prevent blindness by taking the #EyePledge and promising to get your eyes tested. (PRNewsFoto/Johnson & Johnson Vision Care) (PRNewsFoto/Johnson & Johnson Vision Care)

To support World Sight Day on Thursday, Oct. 9, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (JJVCI) is asking the public to take the #EyePledge to promise to get their eyes tested, and then share that message on social media channels. The #EyePledge campaign supports the global call-to-action from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to get your eyes tested.

"Most people know that to stay healthy, you should have an annual check-up with your family doctor," says Brian Schwam, MD, chief medical officer and vice president, Regulatory Affairs at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. "However, many people don't realize that same rule applies to your eyes. Everyone – including people with perfect vision – should have a comprehensive eye examination with an eye care professional on a regular basis."[2]

Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, therefore people are often unaware that problems exist. Basic eye screenings which usually only test visual acuity are helpful, but do not replace comprehensive eye examinations by an eye care professional (ECP) which include additional testing.[3] Only an optometrist or ophthalmologist can give that type of in-depth eye exam,[4] which includes dilation of the eyes. That step provides a clear look at blood vessels and also the condition of the retina, crucial to vision.[5] Early diagnosis and treatment of eye problems can increase the odds for successful treatment of eye issues and sometimes, prevent blindness.[6]

What can be detected in an eye exam? You may be surprised to learn that signs of general health problems such as diabetes and hypertension can sometimes be detected through an eye examination. These findings may in fact be the first sign of important health issues. In addition, ECPs diagnose eye problems ranging from focusing difficulties easily corrected by glasses to sight-threatening diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Approximately 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired, and approximately 80 percent of visual impairments and blindness can be prevented or corrected.[7] An estimated 19 million children are visually impaired. Of these, 12 million children are visually impaired due to refractive errors, a type of focusing problem that can be easily diagnosed and corrected.[8]

About Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Companies
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Companies is committed to creating life-long solutions to vision care needs. Since the ACUVUE^® Brand made its debut in 1987 as the world's first disposable soft contact lens, the company has repeatedly brought innovative, quality, and scientific advancements to the industry. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company has some 3,000 employees worldwide. For additional information, visit www.jnjvc.com.

[1] American Optometric Association (AOA), Recommended Eye Exam Frequency for Pediatric Patients and Adults (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination?sso=y

[2] AOA, Comprehensive Eye and Vision Examination (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination?sso=y

[3] AOA, Limitations of Vision Screenings (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination/limitations-of-vision-screening-programs?sso=y

[4] AOA, Limitations of a Vision Screening Program, How is a comprehensive eye and vision examination different from a vision screening? (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination/limitations-of-vision-screening-programs?sso=y

[5] National Eye Institute, Health Information, Eye Health Topics, Healthy Eyes, NEI Recommendations, Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes PDF (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips.asp

[6] AOA, Comprehensive Eye and Vision Examination (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/comprehensive-eye-and-vision-examination?sso=y

[7] World Health Organization (WHO). Visual impairment and blindness (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/

[8]WHO, Visual impairment and blindness (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/

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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.