Staying Ahead of Vision Changes as You Age

We all know that our bodies are bound to change as we age. Systems slow down, injuries occur, and we just aren’t the same person we were in our 20s, for better or worse! Our eyes are no exception. Vision changes are a natural part of aging, but luckily, in this case, knowledge is power. The more you know about vision changes with age and what you can do to prevent them, the better.

There are many early warning signs of vision problems in adults – things to watch out for to prevent or slow down some of the most common issues like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. This is why we so often discuss the importance of regular eye exams. These regular check-ins, combined with healthy lifestyle choices, can greatly enhance your eye health.

Early Warning Signs

If you start noticing any vision changes, you should alert your doctor immediately. The sooner you do so, the more likely they will be able to help you prevent or stop the progression of common eye diseases.

Even small vision changes can lead to bigger problems, but if you start to notice serious vision changes, don’t wait.

One example of a vision change to watch out for is when straight lines (like road lines or tile grout) start to look crooked. This can be an early sign of macular degeneration. If you experience this, you will want to receive treatment as soon as possible to save your eyesight.

Other early signs of serious vision changes are much more consequential. If you notice floaters in your vision or that you have lost some of your peripheral vision, you could be experiencing retinal detachment. If you do not seek treatment, you could lose your vision completely.

Glaucoma

Now, let’s talk about some more specific vision problems and their early warning signs. Glaucoma is the one eye disease that can go undetected the longest without regular eye exams. This is because glaucoma, known as “the silent thief of sight,” does not have any symptoms until the disease has progressed into an advanced stage, already causing irreversible damage. During routine appointments, your eye doctor will check for glaucoma, which is why it’s so important to keep up with those exams.

Cataracts

Most people will develop some degree of cataracts as they age. In fact, more than half of people over the age of 80 have cataracts, making it one of the most common issues in senior vision. Cataracts will cause your vision to get gradually blurrier, but the good news is that this condition is preventable and even reversible with treatment.

So, what can you do now to help prevent cataracts? One easy habit to get into is to wear sunglasses, since sun exposure has been linked to the development of cataracts. And, we know that sun exposure definitely plays a part in skin cancer, so wearing sunglasses will also help protect the skin of the eyelids.

Regular Eye Exams

Unfortunately, there are a lot of vision and eye health problems that don’t have early warning signs. They often begin to develop without the person even knowing there is an issue until the problem has already progressed.

That’s why ensuring you have regular, yearly eye exams is so important. Your eye doctor can detect and treat problems before any major damage occurs. You’ll be better able to maintain good eye health as you get older if you stick to having your yearly eye exams.

Aging and Your Eyes: More Precautions to Take

If you’re concerned about vision changes as you age, there are even more precautions you can take to keep your vision healthy. For instance, smoking can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration. So, it’s a good idea to quit smoking to help keep your eyes healthy.

You can also maintain good eyesight by incorporating eye-healthy foods and vitamins into your diet. There are a lot of fruits, vegetables, meats and poultry that contain nutrients that are beneficial to your eyes and the rest of your body.

For instance, leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach contain antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin, which are extremely good for your eyes. Including these types of foods in your diet can decrease your risk of age-related eye diseases. Other examples of leafy green vegetables that are good for eye health include romaine lettuce, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, mustard greens, watercress, and cabbage.

Vitamins to Prevent Common Vision Changes

Zinc is an excellent nutrient for keeping the retina of your eye healthy and working properly. You can find zinc in foods like oysters, turkey, and crab, to name a few. Omega-3 fatty acids protect your eyes by fighting off inflammation. These are in various meats and fish, particularly salmon, herring, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.

Vitamin A can help decrease the risk of age-related cataracts. Vitamins A, C, and E can help in the management of age-related macular degeneration.

In addition to eating eye-healthy foods, you can take a daily vitamin supplement, like the Ocu-Plus Formula. It contains the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that promote good eye health. It may be difficult to change your eating habits, certainly to the extent that is required for good eye health. In this case, taking vitamin supplements is another way to ensure you’re not missing anything that could be important to your eye health.

Prevention is always going to be an easier strategy than trying to fix damage that has already been done. The earlier you address signs of aging eyes, the better. By adding these simple lifestyle habits to your regimen and being aware of the signs of vision problems in adults, you may even be able to prevent the eye diseases we’ve discussed today.