Senator Addabbo to Host Healthy Vision Experience in Commemoration of May as Healthy Vision Month

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is hosting an interactive heathy vision experience to commemorate May as Healthy Vision Month and encourage constituents to get educated on how to better care for their eyesight. The event will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brewery Keenan Heiser American Legion Post 1815, located at 6801 Cooper Avenue in Glendale.

The National Eye Institute will distribute virtual reality viewers to allow participants to experience common eye diseases in a 360-degree manner. Conditions will include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy that can be viewed at different locations such as a bus stop at night, the grocery store, the office and inside a car.

An ophthalmological expert in eye diseases from Jamaica Hospital will speak about eye care and treatment. He will also present 3-D eye models which attendees will be allowed to take apart to fully understand each part of the eye, how it works and how it is affected by different diseases and conditions.

According to projections based on the most recent census data and studies funded by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, the number of people with visual impairment or blindness in the United States is anticipated to double to over 8 million by 2050, with the youngest of the baby boomers turning 65 by 2029. Additionally, an estimated 16.4 million Americans are expected to have trouble seeing due to correctable refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) that can be addressed with glasses, contacts, or surgery.

"Investing in your vision today ensures a brighter tomorrow,” Addabbo said. “Join us at the Healthy Vision Experience to empower yourself with knowledge and take proactive steps towards preserving your eyesight. Your eyes are invaluable, and caring for them is a responsibility we owe to ourselves and our future generations."