Most adults begin developing vision problems after they turn 40, especially with reading and computer use. It is normal for our eyes to change, and the ability to focus is the first thing that starts to decline.
However, we can do a lot to maintain eye health, which is why it is good to be aware of the most prevalent age-related vision and eye issues and what can be done to prevent them, or at least delay them.
Even people who never required glasses before will need them as they get older. Over time, the lenses in our eyes become less flexible, making it more difficult to concentrate closely on objects. Another prevalent problem is the reduced output of tears, leading to dry eyes.
More severe eye issues and age-related diseases include glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Most of these can be managed, postponed, or sometimes reversed. The key is to develop healthy habits and see your eye doctor regularly. Early detection is the best way to protect your vision and keep your eyes as healthy as possible.
Eye-Healthy Habits
- Eat Healthy: Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy is how our eyes get the nutrients they need to recover from damage and remain fit. Bell peppers, sweet potatoes, chia seeds, dark leafy greens, blueberries, turkey, and wild salmon are great eye-healthy foods to integrate into your diet. Oh, and of course, carrots.
- Stay Active: Exercise is good for the health of your whole body, including your eyes. People who lead sedentary lives tend to experience vision problems as they age at a higher rate than those who remain active. If you hate jogging or going to the gym, find some other activity like yoga, martial arts, or walking that will inspire you to move every day.
- Wear Eye Protection: Sunlight can harm our eyes, even indirect sunlight, and the damage is cumulative throughout your life. With nice UV-blocking sunglasses, you can keep your eyes secure. If you do a lot of outdoor activities or sports, wearing eye protection helps prevent dirt and debris from getting in your eyes and causing corneal abrasion.
- Don't Smoke: It's great to build healthy habits, but we should also prevent bad habits. Not only does smoking increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, but it also increases the danger of macular degeneration and cataracts associated with age.
- Rest Your Eyes: Reading, computer work, and crafts like sewing or woodworking can all cause eye exertion or fatigue. Closing your eyes and resting for a few minutes can be refreshing, but it is also important to get restful sleep.
- Don’t Ignore Symptoms: Some age-related problems develop slowly over time, while others can happen suddenly. If you experience symptoms such as sudden blurriness or vision loss, eye pain, double vision, light flashes, or redness or inflammation of your eye or eyelid, you should contact us right away. Any of these may indicate a threat to your vision and needs immediate treatment.
See Your Eye Doctor Regularly
The eye doctor is your best proactive tool to keep your vision strong, but you have to schedule and attend your appointments. Dr. Delianides and the team at Atlantic Eye Consultants want you to continue to do all the things you love about with clear, strong, healthy vision, so if we haven't seen you in a while, don't hesitate to plan your next appointment!