The more you take care of your eyes when you were younger, the less problems you’ll encounter later in adulthood. If not, you won’t experience common age-related eye issues earlier than expected. Actually, how many grandpas and grandmas do you know who can still read without eyeglasses?
Aren’t they the ones who ate more veggies when they were young? Aren’t they the ones who avoided things like reading books in a moving vehicle or spent too much time with their smartphones? Oh, they don’t have smartphones in the past which could probably be one of the reasons why! Check out tips on maintaining good eyesight in this article.
Eye health is an important part of overall health. Therefore, it’s only understandable that we discussabout the common eye issues that senior folks may experience later in life. Some of these issues are actually inevitable no matter what efforts are made to avoid them. But awareness can help us, younger folks, to love our eyes while we still have time.
- Presbyopia
You might have seen many adults in their late 40s, 50s or 60s reading a book at an arm’s length, with their eyes squinting atevery letter and word of the paragraphs. That’s a common sign of presbyopia, which is considered common in most aging adults. Many people call it far-sightedness, a fitting term as the condition is described as the progressive loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on nearby images or objects.
Often, the solution for this is to wear prescription eyeglasses to be able to read at a normal distance or do other types of close-up work.
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss among aging adults who are 50 years old and above. This condition affects the macula which is a crucial part of the eye located near the center of the retina. A healthy macula enables us to see sharp images of objects that are straight ahead from our viewing perspective.
Someone is at risk for developing AMD if he is a smoker. Another risk factor is family history and race. If someone in the family has developed this condition before, other family members and their next generations are also at risk. It is also a common condition among Caucasians, Hispanics and African-Americans. Read more about AMD: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001000.htm
Lifestyle though can make a difference. By not smoking, one can avoid this condition from developing or progressing. Eating a healthy balanced diet that consists lots of leafy greens and fish as well as exercising can help avoid the occurrence of AMD.
- Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes-related eye disease isn’t just about one specific vision problem.Rather, it pertains to a group of eye diseases that develop as a complication ofdiabetes. These include diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic macular edema (DME). If blood sugar levels aren’t maintained in its ideal level, any of these conditions could be the result which can lead to extreme vision loss.
While diabetes could be inherited if it runs in the genes of the family, a large part of diabetic patients hasacquired it through poor lifestyle choices. Thus, it goes without saying that one must avoid foods high in sugar which are commonly found in fast food chains. Rather, stick to a healthy well-balanced diet early on. Maintain good exercise habits, too.
- Cataracts
A cataract can develop in one or both eyes, but if it does develop in one eye alone, it doesn’t affect the other one, unless,it occurs in the other eye, too. It is a common condition in seniors. Noticeable symptoms may occur during late 60s which include an apparent white spot that covers the lens of the eyes.
It can cause vision problems such as blurred or cloudy vision. However, if it does interfere with one’s daily activities, one could undergo a cataracts surgery which is typically a successful treatment. Qualified medical practitioners who can perform this treatment are common everywhere. So, you can also easily find one in Naples, Fl.
- Glaucoma
This disease usually results from too much pressure inside the eye. It affects the optic nerve. One should be able to find out early on if he has this condition to avoid vision loss. Treatment options include oral medications, prescription eye drops and surgery.
Aging adults should undergo an eye exam every year to diagnose any of the conditions that might affect their vision and interfere with their daily activities. Getting the right treatment could help prevent some conditions from progressing or worsening.