Government officials remind older Iowans that February is low vision month

February 5, 2010

February is low vision month, which means that at this time of year, elderly are more susceptible to developing certain eye diseases that could cause them to lose their vision.

The Iowa Department of Aging (IDA) released a reminder to senior citizens that it is important to get regular eye checks for age-related diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, according to Iowa Politics.

"It is imperative for older Iowans to get yearly eye exams as an important part of their healthcare routine," Dr Mark Wilkinson, who works with the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, told the news provider. "A comprehensive eye examination, including a dilated examination of the inside of the eye is important in diagnosing problems early and is the key to providing the best treatment possible to maintain good eyesight."

According to the American Optometric Association, it is important for individuals over the age of 40 to have an in-depth eye exam to look for signs of age-related eye diseases that could result in vision loss.