ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) revealed its latest campaign for Save Your Vision Month, which is dedicated to promoting the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams by an optometrist in the month of March. This year’s Save Your Vision Month is focused on ways consumers can protect their vision against digital device use in the 21st century.

According to the AOA’s 2014 American Eye-Q survey, 55 percent of adults use computers, smartphones, tablets or other hand-held devices for five or more hours a day. In another AOA survey, 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 use an electronic device for more than three hours a day. With statistics like these, the AOA emphasizes the importance of making smart eyecare choices and seeing an eye doctor for annual eye exams.

Optometrists and their staff can participate in Save Your Vision Month by donating $25 for a promotional kit, which includes wristbands, posters, balloons, a customizable press release and social media posts, and other Save Your Vision Month materials. They can also donate a percentage of day-of eye exam fees or donate $2 to $5 per exam or frame sold during the month of March. Donations to Optometry Cares, the AOA’s philanthropic charity, are also an option. All proceeds to the charity will help raise eyecare awareness, education and research, and will expand access to eye health and vision care to everyone in the U.S.

To participate in Save Your Vision Month and support Optometry Cares, doctors can fill out a sign-up form online, which can be emailed to foundation@aoa.org, faxed to (314) 991-4101, or mailed to Attn: Optometry Cares, SYVM, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Floor 1, St. Louis, Mo. 63141.