When it comes to taking care of your health, don’t “overlook” your eyes… literally. Temporary blindness caused by sudden exposure to bright light can’t be helped. But continued over-exposure to bright lights… especially sunlight… increases your risk of permanent damage including cancer.
Here’s what you need to know.
Eye disease starts to manifest during middle age (40 to 60 years old). Even if you have no symptoms, getting a baseline eye examination at 40 can save your vision in later years. And you don’t have to wait until then. It’s not a bad idea to have your family’s eyes checked periodically as they grow.
In the meantime, practice good eye protection with broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Just don’t settle for bargain sunglasses. Look for glasses with 100% UV-blocking capability. These moves don’t guarantee cancer prevention but they do contribute to keeping eyes healthy.
And protect your children’s eyes early, starting as early as infancy. Help them develop good habits now that will benefit them for a lifetime.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (www.aao.org/eye-health) lists numerous ways to keep your eyesight as healthy and keen as possible.
Now what? Linda, age 45 has been diagnosed with a critical illness.
If you have recently lost your employer group health insurance, you may be given the opportunity to participate in COBRA which will allow you to continue with the employer group plan. However, it will be at a cost of approximately 50% more than the premium you paid while employed. Rather than accepting a premium you may not be able to afford, you have the option to choose an Affordable Care Act plan and may even qualify for a subsidy which reduces your premium.
1 in 5 women in the United States will have a stroke in her lifetime. Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer does, making it the fourth leading cause of death for women. May is stroke awareness month. 
