Although most eye diseases are related to aging, there are certain precautions that you can take to reduce the risks of decreased vision. Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes against the UV rays, avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may keep your eyes healthy long into your later years. Regular eye checkups are extremely important to find any potential problems that can be treated and avoided. Ensure that your Eye care East Stroudsburg PA is preformed regularly by a trusted and experienced optometrist.
Macular Degeneration
The macular of the eye is responsible for the reflection of light and the projection of images that is sent to the retina and interpreted as vision by the brain. Macular degeneration occurs as this layer begins to deteriorate and lose receptive cells. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55. People who experience this condition often report that parts of an image may be out of focus or missing. If caught in the early stages by an optometrist, it may be treated with much better outcomes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
High blood sugars damage the eyes and prevent the flow of oxygen from blood vessels. As the tiny structures of the eye are blocked, portions of the retina do not receive the nutrition needed to sustain the healthy nerve tissue and blindness may result. If you are diabetic, ensure that your blood sugars are controlled to protect your vision. Yearly eye exams are important to evaluate the affects of diabetes on your eyesight.
Cataracts
As the eye ages, the crystal clear lens may become discolored and cloudy and form cataracts. Vision becomes blurry, fuzzy and the affected person may notice an increased amount of distracting glare. Cataracts are age-related and over half of people 80 years of age will have either cataracts or the corrective surgery.
Get Regular Eye Exams
Ensure you keep and protect your vision with regular eye exams by a trusted optometrist. Protecting your vision from the damage of the sun, high blood sugars and a healthy diet and lifestyle may help you keep your eyesight well into your later years. Maintain a high quality of life and ensure you continue to enjoy driving, reading and seeing the faces of those you love and care for.
