One of the tell-tale signs of aging is a change in our vision. For some of us, such changes may be minor and require little to no intervention, while for others, the changes may be debilitating and may lead to a serious disability with life-altering consequences. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), lists some common age-related eye diseases and conditions as: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic eye diseases, glaucoma, dry eyes, and low vision.
Johns Hopkins ophthalmologist, Dr. Albert S. Jun, suggests the following as the best ways to protect your vision as you age:
- If you smoke, stop!
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Wear sunglasses
- Stay active and enjoy life
According to Wills Eye Hospital retina surgeon, Dr. Rick Kaiser, “a diet filled with antioxidants-green, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, and omega-3 fatty fish-will help protect against vision loss. You can also buy supplements over the counter.”
The NIH suggests that everyone over the age of 50 should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam which can detect the early stages of vision loss.
Source: https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/aging_eye