This rather startling statement was released by the Utah Society for the Prevention of Blindness in connection with Sight Saving Month. now in progress: About 45,000 new cases of blindness will be recorded in the United States this year, 150 of them in Utah – and half of these will be needless! What a tragedy particularly that so many who go blind wouldn’t need to if but for negligence, accidents, not discovering the problem in time, or simply not taking the proper steps. The statement underscores the importance of sight preservation efforts by individuals and organizations. What are your eyes worth’? This is a question being asked by the Utah Society, an affiliate of the National Society for Prevention of Blindness. It goes without saying that the price is mighty high. in eye disorders the success rate for prevention is quite high, notes the society. Some cases cannot be documented; others can. For example. discovering early signs of glaucoma when treatment is most successful; or a person who has lost sight from cataracts regains his vision through surgery. However, the two diseases. glaucoma and cataract. are- still the nation’s two leading causes of blindness even though effective treatments exist. Both are among prime targets in the Society’s programs to reach people with sight-saving information. Other major programs include preschool vision screening. An estimated one in 20 children in the 3-to5 year age range has a vision problem, and some common eye disorders .require treatment before the age of six if vision is to be effectively preserved. Eye safety has received emphasis because accidents too often lead to needless impairment of vision or loss of sight. The society encourages use of safety eyewear in hazardous jobs to safeguard the eyes. School eye safety model legislation has been enacted into law by 35 states. Fireworks and toy regulation is continually encouraged, and an ongoing program is encouraged to warn of harmful substances in the home. The Herald encourages ” support of the Utah Society for Prevention of Blindness in its work; also the work of associations for the blind, Lions Clubs, and others who sponsor sight preservation projects. The society is based at 2033 South State, Salt Lake City. Remember, blindness can strike in your family…as well as someone else’s. Also that blindness prevention is for everybody.