[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 9907-9908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5566]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 43 / Wednesday, March 5, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 9907]]


                Proclamation 6976 of March 3, 1997

                
Save Your Vision Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our eyes are our windows to the world. They give us the 
                freedom to gaze at a sunset, read a book, or drive a 
                car. Our sight allows us to jog along a garden pathway 
                or enjoy a panoramic view.

                All of us need to care for our vision, but older 
                Americans in particular should be aware of their 
                susceptibility to eye disease. As the ``baby boom'' 
                generation ages, it is critical that these Americans 
                receive regular eye examinations from eye-care 
                professionals.

                A thorough exam can lead to early detection and control 
                or cure of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataract, and 
                diabetic retinopathy. A professional eye exam can also 
                diagnose age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a 
                leading cause of severe visual impairment and blindness 
                in the United States. This common disease affects the 
                retina, the part of the eye that helps to produce 
                sharp, central vision required for activities such as 
                reading and driving. AMD causes a loss of this clear, 
                central vision; in some cases, vision loss is rapid and 
                dramatic. The risk of AMD dramatically increases after 
                age 60. It is estimated that this disease already 
                causes visual impairment in approximately 1.7 million 
                of the 34 million Americans now older than 65. As these 
                numbers continue to grow, researchers are working to 
                find the cause of, and develop treatment for, this 
                debilitating disease.

                People with AMD and its accompanying visual impairment 
                often cannot perform daily activities such as reading 
                the newspaper, preparing meals, or recognizing faces of 
                friends. The inability to see well affects routine 
                activities and social interactions and can lead to a 
                loss of independence.

                However, low-vision services and devices can greatly 
                improve the quality of life for visually impaired 
                patients and help them maintain their independence. 
                Devices such as hand-held magnifiers, computer monitors 
                with large type, and large-print newspapers and books 
                can help the visually impaired dramatically improve 
                their quality of life.

                To remind Americans of the importance of protecting 
                their eyesight, the Congress, by joint resolution 
                approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 
                169a), has authorized and requested the President to 
                proclaim the first week in March of each year as ``Save 
                Your Vision Week.''

[[Page 9908]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 2 
                through March 8, 1997, as Save Your Vision Week. Our 
                eyes play a vital role in our independence and daily 
                living and need to be examined regularly. Let us 
                recognize the work done by vision researchers across 
                our Nation on AMD and other eye diseases and the 
                efforts they are making to enhance and retain our 
                precious sight. Education on good vision starts with 
                us, and we should take progressive steps to protect our 
                eyes.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                third day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and 
                twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-5566
Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P