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New Jersey Employers Encouraged to Make 2020 the Year of the Eye Exam

New Jersey Employers Encouraged to Make 2020 the Year of the Eye Exam

The American Optometric Association’s #2020EyeExam campaign addresses current eye health and vision challenges nationwide; drives awareness of the importance of annual, comprehensive eye exams

[Hamilton, NJ – December 3, 2019] – As part of the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) #2020EyeExam initiative, the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) is asking visionary companies throughout the state to sign the 2020 Employer Pledge – affirming the importance of caring for the overall health and wellbeing of employees and their families by reminding them of the importance of an annual comprehensive eye exam.

“Comprehensive eye exams are one of the most important, preventative ways to preserve vision and overall health,” says Dr. Susan D’Emic, optometric physician and president of the NJSOP. “With research showing over sixteen million Americans struggle with undiagnosed or untreated vision impairments, it’s more important than ever to ensure eye and vision health are components of routine, primary health care for all Americans. Employers are a critical key to help spread the message and get people to take action.”

The AOA’s American Eye-Q consumer survey revealed many respondents were not aware of how vision impacts overall health. Only 53 percent visit an eye health professional at least once a year and one-third of those surveyed lacked an understanding of how to take care of their eyes and vision.

Eye health and vision problems may develop without any obvious signs or symptoms, In-person, annual eye exams with doctors of optometry can detect early signs of visual system diseases such as glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. In addition, eye exams safeguard overall health by enabling the eye doctor to detect more than 270 serious health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and cancers.

As with many systemic diseases, most eye diseases, if detected early, can be treated before detrimental effects to health and vision take place. If a problem is detected, doctors of optometry can help patients and their families navigate the right prevention plans or the next steps in official diagnosis and treatment.

Through the AOA’s #2020EyeExam Pledge, employers large and small have the opportunity to uphold the eye health of their employees and promote high-value care by fostering awareness and encouraging everyone to get their annual, in-person comprehensive eye exam with an AOA family doctor of optometry.

Participating organizations will also be highlighted through a year-long communications program reaching the public and the AOA’s more than 44,000 doctors of optometry, optometric professionals, and students.

For more information on the #2020EyeExam initiative or to take the pledge, please visit AOA.org/2020EmployerPledge.

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About the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP)

The New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) is dedicated to the improvement of quality, availability, and accessibility of eye and vision care. The NJSOP represents the optometric profession before the New Jersey Legislature, the consumer, and the public. It also assists its members in conducting their practices successfully in accordance with the highest ethical standards of patient care and efficiency. To learn more, visit www.njsop.org. Additional information for consumers and educators is available at our consumer-facing site, www.eyecare.org.

About the American Optometric Association (AOA)

The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students, and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient’s first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and managed disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, the AOA’s 2020 Campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans. Find more information about how the AOA is shaping the future of health at AOA.org/2020. #2020EyeExam

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