[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 10 (Monday, March 15, 1993)]
[Pages 367-368]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6532--Save Your Vision Week, 1993

 March 5, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Vision is a remarkable gift. Providing nearly 40 percent of all 
sensory input to the brain, our eyes allow us to read, drive, and 
experience many of life's greatest pleasures. Vision, however, is an 
extremely fragile gift, one that can dim with injury or the onset of 
disease. Moreover, it is a gift that, with few exceptions, cannot be 
restored once it is lost.
    Thus, given the important but delicate nature of good vision in our 
lives, it is tragic that each year thousands of Americans suffer vision 
loss that might have been prevented.
    Having a periodic eye examination is an effective and simple way for 
most of us to prevent this tragedy from occurring in our lives. A 
comprehensive eye examination can provide an early warning of developing 
eye disease and allow an eye care professional the opportunity to 
initiate appropriate treatment.
    Both glaucoma and diabetes are potentially blinding diseases that 
can be controlled and treated effectively, if detected early. However, 
each remains a leading cause of blindness in the United States. People 
at high risk for glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40 and 
everyone over the age of 60, should receive an eye examination at least 
every two years to reduce the risk of blindness.
    For people with diabetes, a regular eye examination is an absolute 
necessity. People with diabetes who have their eyes examined through 
dilated pupils at least once a year take a responsible preventive 
measure in protecting their vision.
    Children also need early and regular eye examination. Even the 
seemingly healthiest child may have an unsuspected visual problem that 
needs prompt attention. A routine checkup can identify such disorders in 
time for effective treatment, sparing the child a lifetime of visual 
impairment.
    Guarding against eye injuries is important for all members of our 
society. Both in the home and workplace, people should wear appropriate 
face masks, goggles, or safety glasses when working with chemicals or 
machinery that might be dangerous to the eyes. If possible, athletes 
should also wear protective eye wear, and children should be taught the 
basic principles of eye safety from an early age.
    To encourage Americans to cherish and protect their vision, the 
Congress, by a 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.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning March 7, 1993, 
as Save Your Vision Week. I urge all Americans to participate in the 
observance by making eye care and eye safety an important part of their 
lives. Also, I invite eye care professionals, the communications media, 
and all public and private organizations committed to the goal of sight 
conservation to join in activities that will make Americans more aware 
of the steps they can take to protect their vision.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:33 a.m., March 8, 
1993]


[[Page 368]]



Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on March 6, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
March 9.