Vision

Goal

Improve the visual health of the Nation through prevention, early detection, timely treatment, and rehabilitation.

Overview:

Vision is an essential part of everyday life, influencing how Americans of all ages learn, communicate, work, play, and interact with the world. Yet millions of Americans live with visual impairment, and many more remain at risk for eye disease and preventable eye injury.

The Healthy People 2020 Vision objectives focus on evidence-based interventions to preserve sight and prevent blindness. Objectives address screening and examinations for children and adults, early detection and timely treatment of eye diseases and conditions, injury prevention, and the use of vision rehabilitation services.

Why is Vision Health Important?

The eyes are an important, but often overlooked, part of overall health. Despite the preventable nature of some vision impairments, many people do not receive recommended screenings and exams.1 A visit to an eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam can help to detect common vision problems and eye diseases, including:

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

These common vision problems often have no early warning signs. If a problem is detected, an eye care professional can prescribe corrective eyewear, medicine, or surgery to minimize vision loss and help a person see his or her best.

Healthy vision can help keep people safe when behind the wheel, participating in sports, or working with power tools in the yard or around the home. It can also help to ensure a healthy and active lifestyle well into a person's later years. Educating and engaging families, communities, and the Nation is critical to ensuring that people have the information, resources, and tools needed for good eye health. Resources and tools include:

  • Eye health care Vision correction
  • Emerging treatments
  • Vision rehabilitation services and adaptive devices that enable people to make the most of their remaining vision and maintain an independent lifestyle

Additional Resources:

HP2020's National Objectives for Vision

References

  1. Hartnett ME, Key IJ, Loyacano NM, et al. Perceived barriers to diabetic eye care. Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:387-91.