Did you know that there is an entire month dedicated to healthy aging? How does healthy aging month address eye health?
We all know that it is important to deal with our health. We go to the doctor and try to follow all the instructions they give us.
But, why do we never focus on our eye health? Eye health is just as important as our regular health. Keep reading to learn more about what healthy aging can mean for your eyes!
What are different preventative measures you can take to keep your eyes healthy?
There are a variety of different things that you can do to keep your eyes healthy. These can include:
Getting Regular Eye Exams
Getting regular eye exams even before you get older is important. It allows your doctor to have a baseline for your vision and any existing conditions.
Also, it can help prevent conditions or delay things from getting worse. Until you turn 64, you should get eye exams every two years. Once you turn 65, you should get eye exams annually.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Making sure that you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables helps keep your eyes healthy. Dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, etc.) are good for your general and eye health.
Other foods that are good for eye health are foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like halibut, tuna, and salmon.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is bad for your health, as well as your eyes. Smoking can increase your risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. It can also make you more likely to suffer from dry eye. If you smoke, quit.
Keep a Healthy Weight
Staying at a healthy weight is important for your health and your eyes. Being overweight increases your risk for diabetes.
Diabetes can cause conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, which causes vision loss.
Wear Sunglasses and a Wide Brimmed Hat While Outside
It is important to protect your eyes while you’re outdoors. UV rays from the sun can hurt your eyes, so wearing sunglasses that block 99 – 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays is important.
What are some conditions you can get as you age?
There are conditions that you are likely to get as part of the aging process. Some of these conditions include:
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy impacts blood vessels in the retina. For people with diabetes, this is the leading cause of vision loss.
Also, it is the leading cause of vision issues and blindness in professional adults.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a series of conditions where fluid and pressure build up in the eye. This damages the optic nerve.
This leads to vision loss. It is the second-highest cause of vision loss.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts often develop slowly, and over time they affect your vision.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is part of the aging process as people hit their 40s and 50s. The lens in your eye loses elasticity, making it harder to focus or reading any fine print.
Are you ready to focus on your eye health? One of the most important things you can do is get a comprehensive eye exam.
This lets your doctor check your eyes and watch any possible conditions. Schedule an appointment with one of Riverside Eye Center’s great doctors in Auburn, ME.