May is Healthy Vision Month

Woman receiving an eye exam

Focus on Your Eyesight During Healthy Vision Month

Maintaining good vision can be as simple as visiting your optometrist for regular checkups and making a few important lifestyle changes. Healthy Vision Month, held every May, is the perfect time to prioritize your vision health.

Regular Eye Exams Are a Must at Every Age

Visiting your eye doctor on a regular basis can help you enjoy clear vision, reduce your risk of developing certain eye diseases, and ensure that you receive prompt treatment if you are diagnosed with an eye disease or condition.

The American Optometric Association recommends this checkup schedule for people who have no symptoms or are at low risk of eye and vision problems:

  • Birth to 2 Years. First visit between 6 to 12 months
  • Ages 3 to 5. At least one visit during this time period
  • Ages 6 to 17. Once before first grade, then annually
  • Ages 18 to 64. Every two years
  • Ages 65 and older. Every year

Yearly exams are recommended at any age if you wear glasses or contact lenses, have an eye condition or disease or are at increased risk of an eye condition or disease.

During a comprehensive eye examination, your eye doctor tests your ability to see clearly at various distances and examines the internal and external parts of your eye. The exam also includes glaucoma and other tests and drops to dilate your pupils. Dilation gives your optometrist a clear view of the retina and optic nerve at the back of your eye.

Talk Eye Health with Your Family

Certain eye diseases and conditions, including macular degeneration, cataracts, colorblindness, and eye misalignment, tend to run in some families. Sharing information about these conditions and diseases can help protect the entire family, especially if the problems typically appear during childhood. Letting your optometrist know about the diseases you could possibly inherit can help him or her assess your risk and monitor you closely for possible signs of the disease or condition.

Wear Sunglasses Year-Round

Sunglasses aren't just a fashion statement. The glasses can protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Exposure to these rays can increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer in and around your eyes.

When buying sunglasses, select glasses that protect you from 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wrap-around styles provide the most protection and block the rays from entering your eyes through the sides.

Improve Your Diet

A healthy diet benefits every part of your body, including your eyes. When you're shopping, add leans meats and poultry, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains to your cart. Avoid or limit fatty, fried, processed or junk foods.

Step Away from Your Screens

Spending too much time using digital screens can strain your eyes and cause headaches and dry eye. In fact, those symptoms, in addition to blurred vision and sore neck and shoulder muscles, can be symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The syndrome affects both children and adults who use digital devices.

You can lower your risk of developing computer vision syndrome by taking a 15-minute break after two hours on a device. Following the 20-20-20 rule can also be helpful. Look at an object 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds after viewing a screen for 20 minutes.

Protect Your Eyes from Injury

Do you wear goggles or protective eyewear when you saw a piece of wood or use caustic chemicals? Even a tiny woodchip or a single drop of a chemical can cause a serious eye injury. Donning goggle, face shields or safety glasses before you start a project can help you avoid permanent damage to your eyes.

If you play any sports, it's also important to protect your eyes during games and during practice. Depending on what sport you play, you should either be wearing safety goggles or a helmet with a safety shield. If you are unsure, ask your eye doctor about the appropriate sports protective eyewear.

Put your eye health first by practicing good habits.

Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology: How to Choose the Best Sunglasses: Six Things to Consider, 4/30/15

American Optometric Association: May Is Healthy Vision Month

National Eye Institute: My Vision of the Future

American Optometric Association: Recommended Eye Examination Frequency for Pediatric Patients and Adults

Location

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Hours of Operation

We are closed for lunch daily from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM.

Brier Creek Vision Care

Monday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonial

  • "Excellent office. Staff is helpful and polite when dealing with my special needs child. They understand when he needs break and how to redirect to another technique to achieve goal. Would highly recommend to others!"
    Jennifer, Raleigh, NC
  • "I needed an eye doctor to see me for my concussion issue that effected my eyesight. There isn't many who are able to assess. Dr. Durham knew just how to work with my case in a gentle manner to help keep me calm. I finally have hope for healing now."
    Elizabeth 3/15/19 - Answer to Prayer
  • "Dr Durham is amazing. She takes the time to hear the patient and is extemely knowlegable."
    Susan 3/16/19 - Amazing
  • "All the staff were very helpful & Susan Durham was very thorough & professional"
    Jill 3/14/19
  • "Dr. Durham and her staff are the best and most knowledgeable dealing with brain injuries. Highly recommended!"
    Kristina 3/11/19 - Absolutely the best!
  • "Thought exam was personal, deteilrd and fully explained. Staff were prompt, kind, snd professional. I’d recommend Dr. Durham’s clinic to anyone needing eye care."
    Thomas 3/10/19
  • "The staff was very polite and extremely patient with my condition. Very specific about my condition and caring to help me recover. We will have a long road to recovery together."
    Elizabeth 3/11/19
  • "Didn't have to wait. Very thorough eye exam."
    Sandy 3/7/19 - Great eye checkup
  • "My visit was more than I could of asked for. I told my friends about my visit to the future. Dr. Dunham was extremely knowledgeable, concerned and determined to get it right, Her staff seemed to respect her greatly. staff was trained very well and gave me the confidence they knew what they were doing.
    I have already told my friends about my visit to the future."
    Patricia 2/24/19 - Everything was perfect.
  • "My daughter and I have have had great experiences at Brier Creek Vision! Dr. N. Is fantastic!! The office staff is super friendly, accommodating and very pleasurable to work with. Eye glass frames are plentiful and the opticians are helpful, suggestive and patient! Thanks to everyone for making all of visits wonderful!!"
    Cynthia 2/14/19 – Great Experience
  • "Dr Nakagawara is open, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Karim Glover in the optical dispensary took great care in explaining and helping me to get great value on a new set of prescription sunglasses that will do much more than my previous set. Extremely happy.
    Loved the Optician!"
    Thomas 2/22/19 - Great Doctors and Team...
  • "I cannot tell you how happy I am with Brier Creek Vision. Everyone from the moment you enter, all the way through the appointment, is knowledgeable friendly and caring. I receive excellent and professional care. Highly recommend!"
    Helen 2/21/19 - Excellent care
  • "Went from 20/30 to 20/20! The sky is the limit with dr Patel. Will continue to bring both my kids here...."
    Temidayo 2/17/19 - Dr Patel Rocks!!!!
  • "I have had nothing but amazing experiences here! The entire staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I have never walked away unsatisfied."
    Shelby 2/14/19 - Awesome!
  • "This office has all of the latest equipment and skills to take care of your eyes."
    Wales 2/6/19 - Great eye care!
  • "The atmosphere in the office is very pleasant and welcoming. I always feel comfortable in both the waiting room and the exam rooms. Selecting glasses is also a breeze, as the staff is extremely helpful and knowledgable."
    Kris 1/31/19 - Amazing Experience
  • "Our family visit was over the top. The entire staff took their time and made sure each and everyone's exam was through. No pressure to buy glasses. Our experience with Dr. Nakagawara was outstanding!!"
    Melissa 1/31/19 - Recommend
  • "I always have the best visit at Brier Creek Vision. My Doctor, Esther Nakagawara, is the best at what she does! She handles the procedures with care, caution and concern, explains well and has the best solutions to keep your eyes healthy. The staff is accommodating, patient and very kind to everyone; they never mind answering questions. The opticians are helpful in assisting with the selection of eyecare that looks good and works the best for you. I have told many people about my positive experiences at Brier Creek Vision and recommended this office as well."
    Kailah 1/30/19 - The Best in Eyeccare!!
  • "My family and I have been patients of Brier Creek Vision for 2 years. Dr. Nakagawara is a very caring and skilled OD who communicates, teaches and plans well. The staff and optometrists are inviting, knowledgeable and very helpful. We have recommended BCV to all our friends and family!"
    Cynthia 1/30/19 - Highly recommend
  • "I was thrilled to learn about the new Shaw lens concept to treat my daughter's amblyopia!"
    Molly 1/30/19 - Excellent Experience