August 10, 2023
Having the Foresight for Your Vision

We all know our vision changes as we age, but it’s not always as simple as needing reading glasses. There are other vision changes that are symptomatic of getting older. We can also suffer from difficulty in discerning colors, such as black from blue, and sensitivity to changing levels of light which means it can take longer for our eyes to adjust. Most of these changes can be easily corrected through the use of glasses and contacts.

There are a multitude of more serious conditions that can develop as we age and can worsen if not spotted early by a health care professional. Regular check-ups at the eye doctor is a must, but it’s also important to be ready with any questions and concerns you might have when you see the doctor. It is also a good idea to provide a list of all medications because some can affect your eyes.

The good news is that there are actions you can take to help protect your vision in older age:

- Stop smoking. Smoking can put your vision at greater risk of developing cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Make smart food choices. Some studies have pointed to poor eating habits, such as consuming too many processed foods, may also increase risk of AMD.
- Stay active. Because a sedentary lifestyle accelerates the aging process, it can also accelerate deterioration of vision.
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure. We don’t often associate blood pressure with our eyes, but it play a role in maintaining healthy vision. High blood pressure can cause the retinal blood vessels to thicken and narrow, which in turn reduces blood flow. The affect this has on the eyes could potentially cause loss of vision which could be permenant.
- Take a break from computer work. This is probably the easiest way to help your vision stay strong. The experts suggest taking a break about every 20 minutes to focus your eyes 20 feet away to avoid eye strain.

Having the foresight to proactively protect your eyesight from unnecessary deterioration is a must for your future vision!