10 least eye-healthy cities in the United States

10. Salinas, CA

The VSP eye health index ranks Salinas as the 10th least eye healthy city in the nation. Salinas is the hometown of author John Steinbeck, where his childhood home is now a restaurant and museum. Steinbeck lived in the Victorian home until he went to Stanford University in 1919. The city is also home to the National Steinbeck Center, a popular site for tourists and locals alike; perhaps that is part of the reason Salinas residents are too busy to get their eyes checked!

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9. Bridgeport, CT

Do you recognize this fast food restaurant? Subway, the restaurant chain with the most number of locations worldwide, began in 1965 as Pete’s Subway with the first store opening in Bridgeport.

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8. Santa Rosa, CA

Charles “Sparky” Schulz, internationally known cartoonist, lived the second half of his life in Santa Rosa, where the The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is now located. Schulz created the world-famous Peanuts comics, whose characters were made into statues and placed around the city in his memory.

Visitors may also know they are in the hometown of the cartoonist as they fly in through the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County airport. 

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7. Stockton, CA

Stockton is widely known for its annual Asparagus Festival, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. Stocktonians may not be getting their recommended annual eye exams, but at least they are eating their veggies, which may be a component in protecting against glaucoma.

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6. Detroit, MI

Currently rated #2 team in the American League, the Detroit Tigers have a chance to clinch a wild card berth to the playoffs this season. While the team has not won a World Series since 1984, its last playoff appearance was only 2 years ago. It goes without saying that if the players all had their annual eye checks this year, they stand a much better chance at making it to the World Series once again.

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​5. Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque features the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every fall, which has grown from an attendance of 13 balloons to more than 700. The festival is said to be the largest balloon event and the most-photographed event in the world. It is also the largest international event held in the United States. 

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4. Akron, OH

One of the few blimps in the United States is based in Akron, the former Rubber Capital of the World. In Akron, it’s relatively easy to tell who has had an annual eye check by who says, “It’s a bird; it’s a plane!” when in reality, “It’s a blimp.”

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3. Merced, CA

Merced is often called the “Gateway to Yosemite” for its close vicinity to Yosemite National Park. Before passing through to Yosemite, visitors often tour Merced’s Hilmar Cheese Company, the world’s largest, single-site cheese manufacturer, and the Castle Air Museum, where almost 50 vintage airplanes from World War II are on display.

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National anthem and the colors. Don't let it end tonight. #SamLynnForeverpic.twitter.com/0eybEbfTDs

- Bakersfield Blaze (@BakoBlaze) September 10, 2016

2. Bakersfield, CA

Until recently, Bakersfield has been home to the Sam Lynn Ballpark of the Bakersfield Blaze minor league baseball team. While the team has left Bakersfield, the ballpark remains as one of the only pro baseball parks where the batter faces West into the setting sun. Baseball fans know this is nothing to be excited about, but camera lovers often see this as a prime photo location.

Last, but not least, which city is the unhealthiest eye city in the United States in 2016? 

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1. Cleveland, OH

Ashamedly, the home of the 2016 NBA Champions, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the hub for the editorial team of Ophthalmology Times was rated least eye-healthy city of the year.  

On the bright side, check out the top 10 eye-healthy cities in the United States!