It’s quite easy to take our eyes for granted, but think of all the things they do. They allow us to work, drive, read, closely examine something that fascinates us, and really appreciate the face of a loved one.
However, by age 65, one in three Americans has some type of eye disease that makes him or her visually impaired, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Diabetes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration all can take their toll on our eyesight. Here’s what you can do to help keep your eyes healthy and working well for a long time.
1. Get an eye exam
Health experts recommend regular eye exams to make sure all is well with your baby blues (or browns, or greens). How often you should get one depends on your age and any risk factors or health problems you may have. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone have a baseline eye disease screening at the age of 40, when vision changes and early signs of eye disease may start to occur. Future screenings should be determined based on that exam, risk factors, and family history.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists offer eye care. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have received extensive training in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and vision problems, and are licensed to perform eye surgery. Optometrists are also trained to treat vision problems and eye disease but they cannot operate.
