National Eye Exam Month
August 1 - August 31
About National Eye Exam Month
National Eye Exam Month takes place throughout August every year, encouraging people across the United States to book a comprehensive eye examination and make routine eye care part of their health calendar. The observance highlights how regular eye exams can detect both vision problems and serious eye diseases long before symptoms appear.
What is National Eye Exam Month?
National Eye Exam Month is an annual health awareness campaign that runs for the whole of August. It exists to remind people that an eye exam does far more than update a glasses prescription: it can reveal early signs of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other conditions that often develop without obvious warning. The campaign was founded by Sears Optical in 1989 and has since been promoted by optometrists, opticians and eye-care organisations who use August to nudge families towards booking an overdue appointment. It is aimed at everyone, but particularly at adults who have let years pass since their last visit and parents arranging back-to-school check-ups for children.
When is National Eye Exam Month?
National Eye Exam Month runs throughout August 2026, from Saturday, 1 August to Monday, 31 August. It is observed on the same fixed dates every year, so the awareness month always covers the full month of August. The timing is deliberate: August falls in the second half of the summer holidays, just as families begin preparing for the new school year, making it a natural moment to add a vision check to the to-do list.
Why National Eye Exam Month Matters
Many of the most damaging eye conditions are symptomless in their early stages, which is exactly why routine testing is so valuable. Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because people rarely notice any change until permanent vision loss has already begun. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults, yet early detection and treatment can prevent or delay severe sight loss in around 90 per cent of cases. Despite this, only about half of people at high risk of vision loss see an eye doctor each year. There is also a striking awareness gap: in one survey, 83 per cent of people believed they were well informed about eye care, but only 19 per cent could name the leading causes of blindness. A single exam during August can close that gap for a whole family.
How to Get Involved in National Eye Exam Month
Taking part is straightforward, and most actions take less than an hour of your time:
- Book your own eye exam – If it has been more than two years since your last test, or longer if you are over 60, use August as the prompt to make an appointment with an optometrist.
- Arrange children’s check-ups – Nearly half of children under 12 have never had a full eye examination, so a back-to-school test can catch problems that affect learning and concentration.
- Encourage older relatives – Adults over 60 are at higher risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration; a gentle reminder can prompt a parent or grandparent to get tested.
- Know your family history – Conditions such as glaucoma run in families, so ask relatives about their eye health and share that information with your eye-care professional.
- Update your prescription – Outdated glasses or contact lenses cause eye strain and headaches, so use the month to check that your correction is still right for you.
- Protect your eyes from UV – Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet light, a habit that pairs naturally with summer and helps reduce long-term damage.
- Spread the message at work – Share information about eye safety and screen breaks with colleagues, especially in roles that involve long hours at a computer.
- Support an eye-health charity – Donate to or volunteer with organisations that fund research or provide eye care to underserved communities.
History of National Eye Exam Month
National Eye Exam Month was established in 1989 by Sears Optical, which created the observance to raise public awareness about eye safety and the value of healthy vision. By dedicating an entire month rather than a single day, the campaign gave families a generous window in which to schedule appointments and act on the message.
The wider story of eye care stretches back thousands of years. The Indian surgeon Sushruta described dozens of eye diseases and surgical techniques as early as around 800 BC, and the world’s first dedicated eye hospital, now known as Moorfields Eye Hospital, opened in London in 1805. The invention of the ophthalmoscope by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1851 transformed the field, allowing practitioners to see directly inside the living eye for the first time.
Across the twentieth century, eye care became increasingly specialised, with distinct fields growing up around cataracts, glaucoma, children’s vision and eye cancers. National Eye Exam Month built on that long history by turning clinical progress into a simple public message: book an exam, because the earlier a problem is found, the more can be done about it. The observance is now marked each August by optometry practices, retailers and health bodies across the country.
Noteworthy Facts About National Eye Exam Month
- The observance was founded in 1989 by Sears Optical and has been marked every August since.
- Vision processing engages roughly half of the brain’s cognitive resources, making the eyes one of the body’s busiest sensory systems.
- Nearly half of all children under the age of 12 have never had a full eye examination.
- Early detection and treatment can prevent or delay blindness from diabetic retinopathy in around 90 per cent of people with diabetes.
- Only about half of people at high risk of vision loss visit an eye doctor every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Eye Exam Month?
National Eye Exam Month is an annual awareness campaign held throughout August that encourages people to book a comprehensive eye examination. It highlights how regular testing can detect both vision problems and serious eye diseases before symptoms appear.
When is National Eye Exam Month in 2026?
It runs for the whole of August 2026, from Saturday, 1 August to Monday, 31 August. The observance covers the same full month every year.
Who founded National Eye Exam Month?
It was founded in 1989 by Sears Optical to promote awareness of eye safety and the importance of healthy vision. It is now supported by optometrists, opticians and eye-care organisations across the United States.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Eye Exam Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalEyeExamMonth and #NationalEyeExamMonth2026 on social media. The more people who know about National Eye Exam Month, the more overdue appointments get booked, and the more sight-threatening conditions are caught early.
Related Awareness Days
- National Eye Health Week – A week each September dedicated to promoting the importance of good eye health and regular sight tests.
- World Sight Day – A global day in October that focuses attention on blindness and vision impairment worldwide.
- Eye Injury Prevention Month – An October observance encouraging people to protect their eyes from accidents at home, work and play.
Links
- Visit the National Eye Exam Month page at National Day Calendar
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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