THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Principle 1: Protect Your Vision,  Your Sight Matters
Presented by the Health and Wellness Chair Delicia Mosley,
Inglewood and the South Bay

1. WHY EYE HEALTH MATTERS

Our eyesight is precious. We use our eyes every day to read, work, drive, recognize our loved ones, and enjoy life.
Sometimes we take our vision for granted. However, some eye diseases develop without noticeable symptoms.
Regular comprehensive eye examinations can help identify vision changes and certain eye diseases early.
Remember: Seeing clearly does not always mean your eyes are healthy.

2. MAKE REGULAR EYE CHECKUPS A PRIORITY

Please do not wait until your vision becomes blurry before scheduling an eye examination.
Here are four important steps:

1. Schedule eye examinations according to your eye-care professional’s recommendations.<
2. Report changes in your vision promptly.
Tell your eye-care professional about your medical history and any family history of eye disease.
3. If you have had eye surgery, follow your specialist’s instructions for continued care.
4. Taking care of your eyes today can help protect your vision tomorrow.

3. CELLPHONES, COMPUTERS, AND TELEVISION
Many of us spend hours looking at cellphones, computers, tablets, and television screens. Extended screen use can contribute to tired eyes, dryness, and headaches.

Here are five helpful habits:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Blink often: This helps keep your eyes comfortable.
Reduce glare: Adjust your screen brightness and text size.
Take regular breaks: Give your eyes a rest from close-up work.
Make time for sleep: Reducing screen use before bedtime may help support better sleep.
If eye discomfort continues, consult an eye-care professional.

4. KNOW YOUR EYE-CARE PROFESSIONALS
Understanding the difference between eye-care professionals can help you know where to seek care.

Optometrist (OD)
An optometrist performs eye examinations, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions.

Ophthalmologist (MD or DO)
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in eye care. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye diseases and can perform eye surgery.

Both professionals play important roles in protecting our vision.

5. WARNING SIGNS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
Please pay attention to changes in your vision.
Seek emergency medical attention for:
Sudden loss of vision.
Severe eye pain.
A sudden shower of new floaters or flashes of light.
A curtain-like shadow across your vision.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if these symptoms occur.

6. FREE AND LOW-COST EYE-CARE RESOURCES
If you do not have insurance or are concerned about the cost of eye care, help may be available.

A. UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic
Ask about free community eye examinations, glasses, clinic locations, and eligibility.

Website: https://www.uclahealth.org/departments/eye/mobile-eye
Phone: (310) 825-2195
Call to confirm current services, a

B. 211 LA
Call 211 or visit https://211la.org to ask about free or low-cost eye examinations and community health resources in Inglewood and the South Bay.

C. Medi-Cal
If you qualify, ask about covered vision services and available benefits.
Website: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov

D. Community Health Centers
Contact community health centers in Inglewood and the South Bay. Ask about eye examinations, sliding-scale fees, and referrals to affordable eye-care programs.
Important: Please call before visiting any program to confirm services, eligibility, appointments, fees, and whether glasses are included.