By: Cheyenne Kluever BSN, RN, EBCI Tribal Option CareManager and Michaela Warren BSN, RN, Tribal Option Care Manager Specialty Lead
July is Health Vision Month! Your eyes are often referred to as ‘the window to your soul,’ as beyond just helping you see, they provide
important clues about your overall health. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even some
autoimmune diseases can affect the health of your eyes long before you notice changes in your vision.
During Healthy Vision Month, EBCI Tribal Option encourages all members to take steps to protect their eyesight and prioritize regular
eye care. Healthy vision plays an important role in maintaining independence, preventing injuries, and supporting overall quality of life.
Schedule Routine Eye Exams To Catch Potential Issues Early
Sometimes eye diseases don’t have any symptoms or warning signs, so even if your eyes feel healthy, you might have a problem and
not know it. Many common eye diseases develop slowly and by the time vision changes become noticeable, permanent damage may
have already occurred. That’s why annual eye exams are so important!
Annual comprehensive eye exams can help detect eye conditions early, including:
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal disease and other vision-threatening conditions
Even if your vision seems normal, routine eye exams are one of the most important things you can do to protect your eye health.
Know What Might Put You at Higher Risk
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness among adults ages 18 to 64. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the tiny
blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This condition, known as diabetic retinopathy, often
develops without pain or noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Because vision changes may not occur until the disease is advanced,
annual dilated eye exams are essential for anyone living with diabetes.
Early detection and treatment can help:
• Prevent vision loss
• Slow disease progression
• Protect long-term eye health
• Improve overall diabetes management
