NEHEP Programs

Use these messages in your social media outlets to help increase awareness about common age-related eye diseases and conditions and how people can protect their sight.

Facebook

1. Some changes to your vision are normal as you age, but vision loss and blindness are NOT a normal part of aging. Learn more: www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyestoolkit/pdf/VisionAndHealth_Tagged.pdf
2. Did you know you are at higher risk for certain eye diseases and conditions as you age? Learn more about these conditions and what you can do to protect your sight at www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
3. Early detection and treatment of eye disease may prevent vision loss or blindness. Get more information. Learn what the most common age-related eye diseases and conditions are at www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye.
4. Everyone over age 50 should see an eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam as part of their routine health care. He or she can tell you how often you need to have one based on your individual risk factors for eye disease. Learn more about comprehensive dilated eye exams at www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyeexam.asp
5. Not smoking, maintaining normal blood pressure, exercising, eating diet rich in leafy greens and fish and protecting your eyes from the sun are great ways to help reduce your risk of eye disease as you age.
6. Cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma are the most common eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness among older adults. Learn more about these diseases and how you can protect your sight at www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
7. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Learn more about cataract and how it affects your vision by watching the video at www.nei.nih.gov/videos.
8. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects sharp, central vision needed for things like reading and driving and is a leading cause of vision loss among older adults. Learn more about AMD at www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp
9. Did you know the @National Eye Health Education Program has a toolkit professionals can use to educate older adults about eye health in community settings? Visit www.nei.nih.gov/SeeWellToolkit to download it and begin using it in your community.
10. Medicare helps cover the cost of a comprehensive dilated eye exam for African Americans age 50 and older, Hispanics age 65 and older, people with a family history of glaucoma and people with diabetes. Learn more about this benefit by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visiting www.medicare.gov

Twitter

1. Losing your vision is NOT a normal part of #aging! Learn how to see well for a lifetime: www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyestoolkit/pdf/VisionAndHealth_Tagged.pdf
2. Everyone over age 50 should see an #eyecare professional for a dilated eye exam! Watch this video www.nei.nih.gov/videos
3. Changes in vision as you age are normal, but losing your vision isn’t! Learn more about common eye disease at www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
4. Early detection & treatment of eye disease may prevent vision loss or #blindness! Get a dilated eye exam.
5. Keep your eyes healthy as you age! For more on #vision and #aging, see @NEHEP: website www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
6. Do you know you are at higher risk for certain eye diseases & conditions as you age? Learn more: www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
7. Age-related macular degeneration (#AMD), cataract, diabetic eye disease & glaucoma are leading causes of blindness among older adults. www.nei.nih.gov/agingeye
8. Find tips for keeping your eyes healthy and vision at its best at www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips.asp
9. @NEI and @NEHEP have a variety of videos to help you learn about eye exams and common eye diseases and conditions. Watch at www.nei.nih.gov/videos
10. Medicare helps cover the cost of dilated eye exams for people with diabetes and at risk for glaucoma. Learn more about eligibility at www.nei.nih.gov/medicare.