Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
The past two weeks on Healthwatch, we've been talking about healthy vision. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there's a lot you can do to help maintain your sight. Regular eye exams can detect potential vision problems before they cause permanent damage and can help ensure that children's eyes develop properly. Wearing protective gear for activities that could damage your eyes can also help save your sight. Meanwhile, there are a variety of ways to correct vision, from contact lenses to surgery to replace lenses.
Dr. Wayne Bowman, a UT Southwestern ophthalmologist, says there's one other thing you can do to promote healthy vision: become an eye or cornea donor. Sign the back of your driver's license and let your family know you want to be a donor. That may allow you to leave behind the gift of sight for someone else when you're gone.
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May 2005
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