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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Rita Sitto
Franco Public Relations Group
 O: (313) 567-6008
sitto@franco.com

American Eye-Q® Survey Indicates Strong Need To Educate Consumers About Eye Health (August 2008)

The Michigan Optometric Association stresses the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams as part of overall vision protection

LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 9, 2008) – Too many Americans are not paying enough attention to their eyesight and overall eye health. According to a new survey conducted by the American Optometric Association (AOA) in conjunction with the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA), many people are not getting the recommended eye care and have misconceptions about eye health, two factors that can lead to poor vision and unnecessary vision loss.

According to the American Optometric Association’s 2008 American Eye-Q® survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health, more than 25% of those who already use some kind of vision correction such as glasses or contact lenses have not had their eyes checked in more than 2 years. Almost half of those who do not use vision correction have not had an eye exam in more than five years.

The Michigan Optometric Association works to increase awareness of eye care issues in order to maintain healthy vision and improve overall quality of life for the residents of Michigan.

Since many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, people often are unaware that a problem exists. With eye diseases and disorders, as with most health issues, early detection and treatment by an optometrist are often the keys to avoiding permanent problems.

“With everyone’s heightened awareness of the economy, especially in Michigan, people are cutting back on spending, but eye care is an essential component of your overall health and cutting corners in this area of the budget can be more expensive in the long run,” said Mark Swan, O.D., M.Ed., immediate past president of the MOA. “Too often we see people who have put off eye exams because they assume they just need a different lens prescription, when they really have a more serious problem.”

Common Misconceptions and Other Findings

Most Americans are unaware that comprehensive eye exams can detect more than just problems with blurred vision. For instance, Sixty-two percent of respondents didn’t recognize that diabetes can be detected by an optometrist, and diabetic eye disease remains the leading cause of blindness in the working aged population. Most people did not realize that eye exams can also detect signs of cardiovascular disease (not recognized by 80 percent), brain tumors (75 percent), cancer (78 percent), and multiple sclerosis (90 percent) and often the earliest symptoms of these diseases involve vision.

As in past Eye-Q surveys, Americans place a high value on maintaining their vision. Most respondents indicated that they worry about losing their vision (38 percent) more than their memory (31 percent), their ability to walk (14 percent) or their hair (8 percent).

Many respondents also held misconceptions about what causes eye damage. For example, 71 percent incorrectly believe that reading under a dim light can cause eye damage. Other misunderstandings about the causes of eye damage included sitting too close to the television (cited by 66 percent), rubbing the eyes (48 percent), drinking alcohol (28 percent) and drinking caffeine (15 percent).

Nutrition is one promising means of protecting the eyes. However, respondents are unaware of which foods are packed with the best nutrients for eye health. Only 2 percent of respondents correctly chose spinach as the best food for one’s eye health. Almost half believe carrots are best for their eye health, however, lutein and zeaxanthin — found in dark green leafy vegetables including spinach — help to protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

To find out more about your vision and eye health schedule an appointment and ask your doctor. To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, please visit www.themoa.org and click on the Find an Optometrist button at the top of the page.

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[Editor’s note: Dr. Swan is available for interviews.

Please contact Rita Sitto at (313) 567-5008.]

[Please note that the latest version of the AP Stylebook indicates optometrists should be referenced with the title of Dr.]

About the Michigan Optometric Association The mission of the Michigan Optometric Association is to unite all licensed optometrists and be the representative voice for the profession of optometry in Michigan. The association provides education, information and other member services to assist optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care; works to advance the quality and accessibility of optometric services throughout the state and seeks to ensure the recognition of optometrists as the primary providers of vision and related eye health care.

For additional information on eye health, please visit www.aoa.org.

About the survey:

The third annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 17-19, 2008, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,001 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.)

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