It is easy to neglect your eyes because most of the eye problems are silent until they are advanced. Reducing risk factors can help you to maintain better eyesight for longer!
Some eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, dry eyes become more common in older age.
Having an eye test will not only show if you need new glasses but can help reveal eye conditions before you become aware of them so they can be treated early.
High blood sugar levels from diabetes lead to damage of the retina, the layer on the back of the eye that captures images and sends them as nerve signals to the brain. Uncontrolled diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults and the elderly. Early detection and treatment are essential to manage eye problems.
You can help keep your eyes healthy by:
- not smoking as smoking damages the eye, making it more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
- eating lots of fruit and vegetables
- maintaining good control over blood pressure, and blood sugar for diabetics
- protecting them from harsh sunlight by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
Regular visits to your optometrist for primary eye care needs, and ophthalmologist for specialist needs, can help detect early changes in the eye structure and potentially prevent sight deterioration.
