Preventative Measures for Vision Loss

As you become a senior, you’ll begin to notice your friends starting to squint at their phones just as you do; reading glasses become the new normal. It’s not surprising that as you get older, your eyes do as well. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects millions of seniors. The prevalence of vision impairment increases as you grow older, that’s why it’s vital to your health to take care of your eyes while you can. Here are some preventative measures you can take to lower your odds of vision loss as a senior. 

Eye Exams

Even if you think that your vision is fine, there is only one way to know for sure, and that is to get a dilated eye exam. A dilated eye exam is when your doctor places drops in your eyes causing the pupils to widen. This allows more light to enter, allowing your doctor to get a thorough look inside. Many eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration come with no warning signs. That’s why getting a dilated eye exam is important in order to detect these potential eye conditions in their early stages. The AAO recommends seniors to get an eye exam every 1 to 3 years.

Sunglasses aren’t just for style

Another tip that’s easy to incorporate into your daily lifestyle is to wear sunglasses any time you go outside. Your eyes are susceptible to harm from UV rays, even on cloudy days. Many diseases can start from not protecting both your eyes and the skin around your eyes. In fact, the skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your entire body, which is why it’s extremely important to protect it. However, sunglasses are generally ineffective unless they block 99-100% of both UVA and UVA radiation. So next time you buy a new pair of sunglasses, make sure they will properly protect your eyes and wear them regardless of the weather. 

Smoking 

Smoking is not only bad for your lungs but just as harmful to your eye health as well. The cyanide from smoking travels into your bloodstream, destroying your eye’s cells at a rapid pace. When you smoke, it puts you at a higher risk of developing many eye degenerative diseases. Smoking doubles your risk of developing AMD, so be careful of ingesting toxic fumes from cigarettes. 

Regularly monitor your eyes

An easy way to regularly test your eyes is with an Amsler grid. An Amsler grid is a graph with a small black dot in the center. As a senior, it’s important to monitor your eyes on a daily basis to catch macular degeneration at an early stage. It’s recommended to print out your Amsler grid and tape it somewhere you go daily; this could be on your vanity, refrigerator, or even next to your door. Check each eye by covering up one eye and try to focus on the black dot in the center, then switch to the other eye. If the grid looks as it usually does (straight lines) your eyesight is fine, but if you begin to notice that the lines curve or change from black to gray, contact your doctor. It’s better to catch potential eye conditions early when it’s easier to treat. 

Vision loss is a common but worrisome condition for seniors, but a healthy lifestyle and regularly checking your eye health will decrease your likelihood of developing an eye condition. Incorporating these preventative measures is vital to your eye health and will hopefully help ease your worries. 

— Madison Calhoon