By Steve Roberts 

Improve eyesight  by taking an annual sight test otherwise this most valued of all the senses could be threatened by a range of conditions which could otherwise be treated more readily if diagnosed early. A recent Harris Interactive Survey in the US revealed that 82% of Americans feared losing their vision more than any other sense - the next highest score was 8% for hearing. Yet out of this survey population over 80% of those people who have an existing condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes where the risk of developing sight-threatening conditions is higher did not have a regular sight test.

"This is a disturbing finding since a comprehensive, annual eye exam is the most important step to preserving vision," said Mark G. Ackermann, President and CEO of Lighthouse International, the survey sponsor. "Due to the growing prevalence of such diseases as diabetes and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), some 61 million Americans are at high risk of serious vision loss." Many people do not realise that advances in diagnostic technology now make it much easier to identify adverse eye conditions well before the individual is aware he or she has a problem. Also, there are now new ways to improve eyesight such as overnight ortho-k corrective contact lenses which people are unaware of because they visit their opticians too infrequently.

When the survey respondents were asked why they did not attend an annual sight test, almost one-third responded that they did not have any vision problems so did not feel there was any need to be checked out. Yet a disease like glaucoma has very few symptoms but can be identified during a sight test and if not detected early can result in vision loss. For those who smoked, only half attended an annual sight test even though smoking more than doubles the risk of AMD which is the leading cause of vision loss in the over-60's. So the message is clear - get your sight checked annually to minimise the risk of developing vision problems and benefit from learning about new ways to improve eyesight  such as overnight ortho-k corrective contact lenses.

Check if you are suitable for ortho-k corrective contact lenses .