You'll still need reading glasses, but these
measures can help ward off major problems
Maybe your eyesight
is cloudy. Maybe the center of your view is blurred. Maybe you just can’t see
as well as you used to.
Of course, some
changes in vision are normal as we age: most people in their mid-40s and up
need to use glasses or contacts. One big reason: at middle age, the lenses in
our eyes become less flexible and erode our ability to read and see objects up
close.
Because of that, it’s
also all too common for older adults to write off eye changes as normal—and
that’s not always the case.
There are also eye
diseases mainly found in older people that cause vision loss, including
cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration
(AMD). Upwards of 37 million people aged 40 and older have these
ailments, according to the National Eye
Institute.
And not only does a
loss of sight curb independence and harm quality of life, but it can even
contribute to cognitive decline, according to a 2018 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Unfortunately,
there’s no magic pill to ward off eye problems—but you can lower your risk.
Here’s what you need to know.
Know your odds
A 2018 University of Michigan poll of
older adults found that 89% knew they should have regular eye exams—but many
postponed them.
And that’s a problem,
because treatable conditions like glaucoma, which damages your optic
nerve, and AMD, which creates blind spots in your vision, don’t necessarily
have warning signs. However, they can be pinpointed early on with an exam.
Starting at 40, you
should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1 to 4 years, depending on your age
range and risk factors for various conditions.
If you have diabetes,
for example, you’re also at risk for diabetic retinopathy—a complication of
diabetes, and a major cause of blindness.
Starting at 40, you should have a
comprehensive eye exam every 1 to 4 years.
Your family history,
too, ups your risk for eye diseases, as does your race. Latinos and
African-Americans are much more likely to end up with glaucoma and diabetic
retinopathy. Caucasians are a greater risk for AMD.
When it comes to
cataracts, we’re all at risk: more than half of adults develop the condition by
the time they hit 80. Cataracts, which cloud your vision and are the top cause
of blindness worldwide, can be corrected with surgery, but they’re not
preventable.
“If you’re graced
with a long enough life, everybody eventually develops cataracts,” says Sidney
Gicheru, M.D., a Dallas-based ophthalmologist and spokesperson for the for the
American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Clear your vision
Get regular exams. Some health
insurers will cover an annual eye exam—especially if you’re at risk of
developing problems. So if, say, glaucoma runs in your family, let your
care provider know.
In general, Medicare Part B does not cover annual eye
exams for glasses or contacts. It does cover tests for glaucoma and AMD, as
well as diabetic retinopathy if you have diabetes. If you have no coverage, you
may still qualify for a free exam through an organization like EyeCare America.
Develop good eye
health habits. Just
about any measure that improves your overall health will aid your vision, too.
So pile on the leafy
greens and citrus fruits, and especially salmon and tuna: “We also know
that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids tend to be good for eye health,” says
Gicheru.
And get moving. In
2017, UCLA scientists found that “moderate to vigorous physical activity” was
linked to significantly reduced chances of glaucoma.
Now, the stuff to
knock off. There’s almost no need to pile on the dire warnings about
cigarettes, but the fact remains: Smoking is linked to a higher risk of
cataracts, as well as AMD, which strikes twice as many smokers as
nonsmokers.
“Exposure to sunlight may contribute somewhat to cataracts
and macular degeneration.”
Sidney Gicheru, M.D., spokesperson for the for the American
Academy of Ophthalmology
And people who drink
excessively are likelier to develop certain vision issues.
Wear shades year-round. Seems
that those guys from The Matrix were onto something. “We think
that exposure to sunlight may contribute somewhat to cataracts and macular
degeneration,” says Gicheru.
Pick shades that
safeguard your eyes from both UV-A (long wave) and UV-B (short wave) rays, and
make sure to wear them year-round, since glare is just as hazardous in the
winter as it is during the summer.
Stop staring and
staring at the screen. While heavy computer use isn’t linked to permanent eye
damage, in the short term, hours of screen time can result in short-term
eyestrain and loss of focus.
To keep your vision
crisp, experts recommend the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, focus on something
besides your device for 20 seconds, 20 feet into the distance.
https://considerable.com/prevent-vision-loss/?utm_source=drip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NL-110+%28NEW%29
No comments:
Post a Comment