How to Protect Your Eyesight as You Age
Common eye problems that older adults may face include presbyopia, which makes it harder to see up close, cataracts that cause cloudy vision, glaucoma that damages the optic nerve and age-related macular degeneration that affects central vision. These conditions often develop slowly, which is why prevention and early detection are important.
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your eyesight and lower your risk of serious vision loss as you age:
- Schedule regular eye exams. Routine eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision. Many eye diseases don’t cause pain or early symptoms, but an eye doctor can spot changes before vision loss occurs. Most adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. People with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease may need exams more often.
- Wear sunglasses year-round. Long-term exposure to UV rays raises the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. UV damage can happen even on cloudy days or during winter months so it’s best to wear sunglasses whenever you’re outdoors. Choose glasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Frequent screen use can lead to eye strain, dry eyes and blurry vision, which often feel worse with age. To reduce symptoms, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This helps relax eye muscles and reduce fatigue.
- Eat foods that support eye health. Certain nutrients help protect vision and may slow age-related eye problems. Try to eat foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, and colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, oranges and peppers. These foods provide vitamins and antioxidants that support healthy eyes.
- Manage chronic health conditions. Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes and lead to vision loss over time. Keeping these conditions under control with medication, regular checkups and healthy habits helps protect your eyesight.
- Quit smoking if you smoke. Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and optic nerve damage. It also reduces blood flow to the eyes. Quitting smoking at any age can help slow vision damage.
- Use good lighting and reading habits. Poor lighting and holding reading material too close can increase eye strain. Make sure reading areas are well lit and adjust text size as needed.
When should you call an eye doctor?
Routine eye exams, along with smart daily habits and healthy choices, can help you see more clearly for years to come. But if you notice sudden changes, such as blurry or double vision, eye pain, flashes of light, new floaters or redness with vision changes, see an eye doctor right away to get your symptoms checked out.
Bates County Memorial Hospital offers surgical ophthalmology services once a month with visiting eye surgeon Cooper Rodgers, MD. For clinic visits closer to home, Dr. Rodgers also sees patients at the Butler-based optometry practice of Miller and Miller. To schedule an appointment in Butler, call 913-829-5511.
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