At Northeast Delta Dental, we are passionate about optimal oral health because of its powerful link to overall wellness—and that holistic view of health extends to protecting our vision. This month’s message is on protecting our eyes, drawing from a recent radio interview on Northeast Delta Dental Radio with Supervisor of Occupational Therapy at Future in Sight in Concord, New Hampshire, Beth Daisy. During this time of year, we often think of protecting our skin from the sun, but we don’t always consider eye protection; yet vision is important to all aspects of our lives.
Beth’s military service as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Marines and later piloting a medical helicopter made her acutely aware of the importance of sight and protecting your eyes with eyewear appropriate for your work. When she transitioned into a new career, she trained for occupational work to help those with visual impairment. Her professional credentials are impressive. She earned a Master of Science degree, and she is an Occupational Therapist, Registered and Licensed (OTR/L), a Certified Low Vision Therapist(CLVT), an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).
When I asked her if people notice ultraviolet damage right away, she likened it to the buildup of cholesterol, which develops gradually and quietly over many years. The fact that ultraviolet (UV) damage cannot be undone makes prevention especially important.
Because my wife and I are runners, I particularly wanted to know about sunglasses—and, yes, our children and grandchildren need sunglasses for protection, too, as they tend to spend more time outside. Beth said that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) established UV protection standards for sunglasses. When we talked about sunglass styles, she said that form-fitting wraparound sunglasses are best, because some styles only protect the front, while the sides can let UV rays bouncing off the snow or water damage our eyes. Tinted fashion glasses should be avoided because they do not conform to ANSI standards for sunglasses and can actually damage eyes by dilating pupils and increasing UV exposure.
In closing, Beth stressed the importance of cultivating good habits around eye protection: having pairs of sunglasses for different purposes, leaving a pair in the car and always putting them on when we go outside. You can listen to our full interview on our website and visit Future in Sight to learn more.
Formerly known as the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, in its 110-year history, Future in Sight’s team of providers has advanced the independence of more than 50,000 children, adults and seniors who are blind and severely visually impaired. Their licensed and certified low vision professionals work with youth in their homes and schools, offer adults a tailored care plan based on their individual goals, and provide immersive retreats for the elderly. Donors and volunteers are important to its continued success. Northeast Delta Dental has sponsored its Walk for Sight fundraisers.
In 2009, we responded to feedback from group customers asking us to create more group insurance products by partnering with EyeMed Vision Care to offer a comprehensive vision insurance product. Currently, around 131,000 people are covered by DeltaVision® through their employers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Like dental coverage, vision insurance generally encourages regular examinations during which medical conditions may be detected, providing opportunities for early detection and intervention. Visit nedelta.com to learn more.
