Five Steps to Preserve Eyesight

While it is natural for vision to decline with age, taking steps to care for the eyes can help stave off problems and identify potential issues early, before they progress. Here are five eye care tips to follow.

1. Be Aware of Risk Factors

Certain individuals are at higher risk for eye diseases like glaucoma. Those who are older than age 65 (or African American and older than age 40), as well as those who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of these conditions, should ask their eye doctor about recommended screenings to support eye care and prevent disease.

2. Eat the Right Foods

Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamins C and E, and lutein prevent age-related vision issues like macular degeneration and cataracts. Examples include the following:

- Green leafy vegetables

- Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna

- Non-meat protein sources, such as nuts and beans

- Citrus fruits and juices

- Oysters and pork

3. Report Vision Changes

It's important to see an eye doctor as soon as troublesome symptoms develop. Red flags of eye conditions include double vision, haziness, poor night vision, red eyes, light flashes, and pain or swelling in the eye area.

4. Quit Smoking

In addition to contributing to heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases, smoking is detrimental to eye health, increasing the risk for macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage. Those who smoke should seek support and assistance with smoking cessation.

5. Shield the Eyes

Wearing sunglasses while outdoors prevents eye damage from UVA and UVB rays. Choose wraparound lenses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, polarized options can help reduce glare while driving. Wear safety goggles for jobs that require the use of hazardous materials and while engaged in sports such as ice hockey or lacrosse.

Following these five eye care tips can help preserve sight and promote healthy vision for years to come.

4 Ways to Prevent Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an ocular disease that involves damage to the optic nerve due to excessive fluid in the eye that causes increased pressure. Left untreated, this issue can result in permanent blindness. Preventative care, as well as routine visits to an ophthalmologist, can help spot this disease early to start treatment via medication, laser treatment, or conventional surgery.

Regular Exams

Regular exams are important for preventing disabling vision problems. Before age 40, exams every two to four years are recommended. Between ages 40 and 54, patients should have appointments at least every three years. From 55 to 64, visits should not be more than two years apart, and after age 65, patients should see a doctor every six to 12 months. Patients should inform their doctor if they have any history of glaucoma in their family.

Exercise

Moderate exercise that elevates the heart rate is beneficial for controlling symptoms of this ocular disease.

Protective Gear

Traumatic glaucoma is a risk of an eye injury, so people should wear protective gear to avoid injuries.

Management of Other Medical Conditions

Controlling other medical conditions is helpful for reducing optical risks. High blood pressure and diabetes are two conditions that can increase a person's risk for glaucoma.

See an ophthalmologist with any questions and concerns to resolve potential issues quickly.

Laser Vision Correction: Are You a Candidate?

While laser vision correction (LASIK) is safe and effective for most people, some individuals may not benefit from the procedure. Eye surgeons use specific criteria to determine whether a patient is a candidate for this surgery.

How Is LASIK Performed?

This process is done in eye surgeons' offices while the patient is awake. After administering numbing eye drops, the doctor holds the eyelids open with an instrument that looks like a speculum. A suction device is used to create a flap through which the cornea can be reshaped using the laser. LASIK is painless, though the patient may feel light pressure during the surgery.

When Is LASIK Effective?

This procedure is most beneficial to correct the vision of those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, which represents most adults who wear glasses or contacts. Among the 700,000 Americans who have LASIK each year, 97 percent have notable vision improvement, with 70 percent achieving 20/20 vision or better after the procedure.

Some adults between the ages of 40 and 60 lose some ability to focus on small print and objects, a condition called presbyopia. Those with presbyopia can opt to have one eye corrected for near vision and the other for far vision, but should first do a trial run of this strategy with contact lenses.

What Factors Rule out LASIK?

Some structural concerns can make a person ineligible for the procedure, including thin corneas, irregular corneal surface, cone-shaped corneas, deep-set eyes, or large pupils. However, new technology such as bladeless vision correction has made laser vision surgery a reality for patients who were previously ineligible, and other techniques are always being researched.

While these factors may typically determine whether a patient is eligible for LASIK, the best course of action is to have a consultation with laser vision correction specialized eye surgeons.