HHS HealthBeat (May 31, 2006)

Oh, say, can we see?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Seeing better may take nothing more than a proper pair of glasses. But many Americans don't have them. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that six percent of Americans don't see well. But glasses can help many.

Mary Frances Cotch of the NIH's National Eye Institute:

"We were surprised at just how many Americans – 11 million of us – would have our vision improved if we just had access to, and wore, corrective lenses such as eyeglasses or contact lenses." (12 seconds)

The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association says 94 percent of Americans 12 and older see well enough to pass the vision test that most states require for a driver's license.

For the rest, the researchers recommend an eye exam – and probably proper glasses.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 15 2006