Just because life's odometer keeps racking up the mileage on your body doesn't mean your headlights will dim. You don't have to face a future plagued with dimming eyesight armed with the right knowledge, you can keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.
"It's not a given that just because you're getting older that your vision will get worse," says Dr. Jennifer Weizer, a glaucoma specialist at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. "It's the diseases that come with aging that tend to affect vision, " says Weizer, co-author of "Reader's Digest Guide to Eye Care."
Be aware of the most common problems that affect aging eyes:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is caused by a breakdown in the retina of light-sensitive cells or a growth of abnormal blood vessels behind the retina. AMD destroys sharp central vision and can lead to blindness. There are many treatments, some of them nutritional. According to the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, 1.6 million Americans over the age of 60 have advanced AMD.
Glaucoma. Associated with high pressure in the eye, glaucoma usually affects side or peripheral vision, and can cause blindness. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, surgery, or laser. According to the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, 2.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with glaucoma and about 2 million more are undiagnosed.
Cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, causing vision to blur and colors to seem faded. It can be safely corrected by surgery. Again according to the Eye & Ear Infirmary, cataracts affect nearly 20.5 million people over the age of 65.
Diabetic retinopathy. This disease, which the Eye & Ear Infirmary says affects 5.3 million Americans, is damage caused to the retina by complications of diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness in diabetics and has no warning signs. All diabetics should have a yearly eye exam and reduce their risk by keeping their blood sugar under control. The disease can often be stabilized by laser surgery.
Dry eye. Tear glands that aren't functioning at optimal levels cause dry eye, which may cause itching and burning and even some loss of vision. "Dry eye is more common in women after menopause because of hormonal changes," says Weizer. Treatments include home humidifiers, eye drops, and ointments. Some studies have shown that taking fish oil supplements helps dry eye.
Keep your eyes healthy into old age with Dr. Weizer's tips:
Use UV protection. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun harms our vision. "Studies have shown that ultraviolet light increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, and also how quickly they progress," she says. "Wear sunglasses and have UV protection built into your regular glasses."
Keep systemic diseases under control. "Many diseases, such as diabetes, affect the entire body, including your eyes. For instance, Type 2 diabetes is more common as people age, and can cause blindness."
Eat a healthy diet. Mom always said eat carrots for good eyesight, and studies validate her wisdom. Studies have indicated that those who eat diets rich in dark green and orange vegetables have fewer eye problems. A U.S. government clinical trial found that a special vitamin combination containing vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc, kept dry AMD from turning into wet the worst kind. Researchers at Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that people aged 65 to 84 who ate oily fish especially oysters, mussels, or crab at least twice a week had a significantly lower risk of developing AMD.
Don't smoke. Smoking speeds the progression of eye conditions. A British study at Manchester University found that smokers quadruple their risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Wear protective eyewear. "We think of injuries happening to younger people, but anyone can have a devastating eye injury," says Weizer. "Mowing the lawn and some sports and hobbies carry the danger of something flying into an eye."
Visit your eye doctor regularly. If you're over the age of 40 and in good health, see your eye doctor every two to four years. After 65, have checkups every one or two years. "If there are problems, it's important they are caught early."
Warning signals that should send you to your doctor:
Eye pain. "Particularly if it's severe or constant," says Weizer.
Blurry vision. "If your vision is blurrier than usual, or if it's a big change."
Flashing lights. "Flashing lights in one eye could signal retinal detachment."
Floaters. "Most people will have floaters as they grow older, but if you see a significant increase, see your doctor," Weizer says.
Dark spots. "Black fields that come over your vision indicate retinal detachment."
Double vision. Sudden double vision could indicate tumors, aneurysms, or myasthenia gravis.
Red eye. Red eye can indicate many eye problems from dry eye to acute glaucoma.
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