[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8483--MAR. 5, 2010

Proclamation 8483 of March 5, 2010
Save Your Vision Week, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

While many Americans are fortunate to have healthy eyes, millions are
affected by low vision or blindness. Maintaining good vision requires
early diagnosis and timely treatment of eye conditions. Save Your Vision
Week is a time for all Americans to take action to protect their sight.
Vision loss affects everyone, from infants with genetic conditions, to
teens and adults with refractive errors, to older individuals with
cataracts and other age-related eye diseases. Through recent studies,
scientists and clinicians have identified risk factors, early detection
methods, and new treatments for many eye conditions, but individuals can
also take steps to protect their own vision.
By getting regular eye examinations, Americans can take advantage of
medical breakthroughs that allow early detection and treatment of vision
loss. Doctors also recommend maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking,
and wearing sunglasses or suitable eye protection when playing sports or
performing household chores and yard work. This week, I encourage all
Americans to visit the National Eye Institute website at www.NEI.NIH.gov
to find eye care professionals in communities across our country and to
access the latest eye health information.
To remind Americans about the importance of safeguarding their eyesight,
the United States 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim March 7 through March 13, 2010, as Save Your
Vision Week. During this time, I invite eye care professionals,
teachers, members of the media, and all organizations dedicated to
preserving eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of
eye and vision health.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of March,
in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA