Healthcare Tips for Your Eyes As You Age

Every part of the body, including your eyes, will change as you get older. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that most adults begin to notice changes in their vision and eyes around the age of 40. For example, you may develop presbyopia, dry eye, and other age-related eye conditions.

Here are some expert-recommended tips for taking care of your eyes as you age:

#1: Quit smoking.

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation reports smokers are up to 4 times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Fortunately, those who quit are only slightly more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.

#2: Keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels.

According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can cause:

• Retinopathy
• Choroidopathy
• Optic neuropathy
• Strokes, leading to vision loss

High cholesterol and glucose levels can also lead to conditions causing permanent vision loss in your eyes.

#3: Limit UV exposure to your eyes.

Wearing sunglasses which offer 100% UV protection can help protect your eyes from damage caused by UVA and UVB rays, including:

• Temporary blindness caused by a burned cornea
• Cataracts
• Eye cancer
• Age-related macular degeneration

#4: Eat foods which are good for your eyes.

Your eyes need fruits, vegetables, and whole grains which contain:

• Vitamins C and E
• Zinc
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Minimal fats

#5: Test your vision regularly.

At the age of 40, the AAO recommends a baseline comprehensive eye exam. This way, as your vision changes, you can identify warning signs of conditions like macular degeneration and other diseases which cause blindness. When you catch vision issues early, your ophthalmologist can take steps to prevent vision loss.

People with special risks, such as diabetes, a previous eye trauma, surgery or a family history of glaucoma, may need an eye exam more frequently. One way to know if you need to see your eye doctor is with regular vision testing from home. With EyeQue VisionCheck, you can easily test and track your vision changes anytime from anywhere, including your home or office.