Vision
Aging is a process that brings many changes. Beginning in one’s 40s, many adults may start to have problems seeing clearly at close distances, especially when reading and working on the computer. Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. It’s a natural, often annoying part of aging. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and continues to worsen until around age 65.
Common changes for older adults include losing the ability to see up close, having trouble distinguishing colors, such as blue from black, and needing more time to adjust to changing levels of light.
There are several steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy as possible during your lifetime.
Visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss.
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A comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from the basic eye exam or screening you have for glasses or contacts. By dilating the pupils and examining the back of the eyes, your doctor can detect eye diseases in their early stages, before vision loss occurs. They can check for:
- Age-related macular degeneration, which gradually destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision.
- Cataract, a clouding of the lens in the eye.
- Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
- Glaucoma, a group of diseases that can cause fluid and pressure to build up in the eye and damage the optic nerve.
Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent vision loss. In addition to making eye exams part of your routine health care, these tips will help you maintain healthy vision.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet- Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens. Eat fish, high in omega-3 fatty acids-` salmon, tuna, and halibut.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for diabetes. Diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, can eventually lead to vision loss.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and other eye diseases that may damage the optic nerve.
- Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat when outdoors. Protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays when you are outdoors is vital for your eye health.
- Good Lighting is super important.
- Decorate in contrasting colors.
- See a vision specialist regularly.
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