Save Your Vision Week, 2005

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Proclamation 7874 of March 4, 2005

Save Your Vision Week, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Eye disease causes suffering, loss of productivity, and
diminished quality of life for millions of Americans.
During Save Your Vision Week, we raise awareness of eye
disease and encourage all our citizens to take action
to safeguard their eyesight.

As people age, they can develop conditions that affect
eyesight, including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal
disorders, dry eye, and low vision. Through regular eye
exams, many of these problems can be detected and
treated early, reducing the risk of vision loss. The
National Institute on Aging, part of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), suggests five steps for all
Americans to take to protect their eyesight: regular
physical exams; a complete eye exam every 1 to 2 years;
a check of family history; immediate attention if you
notice any loss of eyesight, eye pain, or other eye
problems; and use of sunglasses and a hat to protect
eyes from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.

My Administration is committed to helping Americans
lead better, healthier lives. We have doubled funding
for the NIH, helping the United States to stay on the
leading edge of medical research and technological
change. Through education, prevention, early detection,
and further research into effective treatments for eye
disease, we can bring hope and comfort to our citizens
and help more Americans keep the precious gift of
sight.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30,
1963, as amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has
authorized and requested the President to proclaim the
first week in March of each year as ``Save Your Vision
Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 6
through March 12, 2005, as Save Your Vision Week. I
encourage eye care professionals, teachers, the media,
and public and private organizations dedicated to
preserving eyesight to join in activities that will
raise awareness of the measures all citizens can take
to protect vision.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B