Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped

06/17/2026

Astigmatism, chances are you have heard of it or have it, but what is it?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition where the cornea or lens are not perfectly round, they are shaped more like a football or egg. This refractive error prevents the light from focusing evenly on your retina in turn causing blurry or distorted vision, both near and far. Astigmatisms are usually inherited but can happen with injury, surgeries or eye diseases. They are very common and treatable. With a comprehensive eye exam, Astigmatisms can be treated with glasses, contacts or surgery (Lasik).

If you are experiencing any changes or blurriness in your vision, it is highly recommended to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can accurately measure the shape of your eye.

06/03/2026

What are Cataracts:

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide! In the United States alone, they have affected over 25.7 million Americans aged 40 and over.

What you need to know about Cataracts:

- Cataracts are a common eye condition that clouds the lens of the eye and can lead to vision loss if not treated.
- Symptoms include blurry, dim, or hazy vision, difficulty seeing at night or in low light, sensitivity to glare or bright lights, faded or “yellow” colors, seeing halos around lights, or frequent changes in eye glass prescriptions.

Ways to reduce your risk of Cataracts:

Wear sunglasses, quit smoking, eat a balanced diet, prevent injury, limit alcohol intake, and always get regular eye exams.
Catching eye diseases early, can lower the risk of more serious complications that could affect your vision in the future.

For more information contact our Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.

05/25/2026

05/01/2026

May is a key time to promote and support services designed to help individuals with vision loss!

Vision Awareness Month or Healthy Vision Month, focuses on making eye health a priority for people across the world. Vision impacts your everyday life and with early prevention, you can help avoid or delay vision loss. Healthy Vision Month is here to encourage you to take proactive steps to reduce risks…

Regular Eye Exams – Dilated eye exams can detect early signs of eye disease and conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices – To support overall eye health, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking will support overall eye health.

Eye Protection – Wearing UV-protective sunglasses helps reduce long term damage and lowers risks of cataracts, macular degeneration and eye cancers.

Safe Habits – When reading use proper lighting, avoid pro-longed screen exposure without breaks (Remember the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.) and use protective eye wear when needed.

Take charge of your vision by making eye health a priority through healthy habits, early detection and prevention.

For more information, please contact our Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.

04/15/2026

Every year thousands of people suffer from sports-related eye injuries. An estimated 100,000 injuries occur annually in the U.S with about 13,500 resulting in permanent vision loss. Most of these injuries are preventable with the proper precautions and protective eyewear. Let’s emphasize this again, 13,500 people could have avoided losing vision by wearing protective eyewear.

Sports Eye Safety Month allows us to increase awareness about the importance of protective eyewear while playing sports or a recreational activity. We need to educate athletes, parents, and coaches about the risks of eye injuries in sports and work together to decrease the number of sports-related eye injuries.

Tips for Eye Safety in Sports:
1. Wear appropriate eyewear for your sport, including goggles, helmets with face shields, or poly-carbonate lenses.
2. Supervise children and young athletes to ensure they are using eye protection consistently.
3. Educate teammates and peers about the importance of eye safety.
4. Schedule eye exams during the month to check for any vision issues that could affect performance and safety.

Let’s participate in Sports Eye Safety Month not only to help prevent injuries, but also to promote a culture of safe and responsible sports participation for athletes of all ages.

For more information on ways to keep healthy vision contact your Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.

04/08/2026

Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month occurs so we can highlight the eye health risks women face, how to prevent them, and to emphasize the importance of regular eye exams.

Women are at a higher risk than men for several eye conditions including age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, thyroid eye disease and refractive error. You can avoid unnecessary vision impairment by educating yourself on eye diseases and conditions that could affect you. By taking preventative steps today you could maintain healthy eyesight throughout your lifetime.

Women can help protect their vision and eye health by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, learning about any family history of eye diseases and discussing it with their eye care provider, and seeking treatment early for any conditions that can lead to vision impairment and receive follow-up care.

For more information on ways to keep healthy vision contact your Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.

03/18/2026

March is Workplace Eye Wellness month. It is essential to bring awareness that eye injuries can happen in the workplace. Approximately 20,000 injuries occur annually in the U.S. and over 700,000 work-related eye injuries are reported each year. Read below about common causes of workplace eye injuries and how to prevent them from happening.

Common Causes of Workplace Eye Injuries:

Flying debris and chemical splashes – Wear proper protective equipment (PPE).
This includes prescription and nonprescription goggles, face shields, welding helmets and full-face respirators.

Digital eye strain – Prolonged use of computers, tablets, and phones can lead to blurred vision, dry eyes and headache.
Remember to follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Improper or missing protective eyewear – many injuries occur when safety glasses, or goggles are not worn, or do not fit properly. Properly fitted protective eyewear should feel snug but comfortable, with minimal gaps around the face to prevent debris entry.

You can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries and maintain healthy vision throughout your career by implementing preventative measures, providing proper PPE and promoting awareness.

For more information or questions regarding Workplace Eye Wellness please contact our Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.

03/04/2026

March is “Save Your Vision Month!” To protect your vision, follow these tips to prioritize the health of your eyes.

*Book an eye exam – Regular checkups are important! Schedule an exam for you and your family.
*Limit screen time – Reducing screen time can help alleviate eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away, for 20 seconds.
*Wear protective eye wear – During sports, a DIY project, or other activities, wear safety glasses.

Being proactive with eye care means early detection, better outcomes, and reduced need for emergency interventions!

For more information, please contact our Prevention of Blindness Specialist at 814-536-3531.