As people age, their eyes can change and slow down. Certain activities such as smoking or unhealthy eating can speed up this process. However, natural changes tend to occur over time, which can often be prevented or slowed with early prevention and treatment. In this guide, the team at Shippee Family Eye Care discusses some of the most common age-related eye conditions and tips for preventing them.
Common Eye Conditions
Some of the most common eye conditions associated with age include the following:
- AMD or Age-related macular degeneration: This occurs when the nerve tissue in the retina is damaged, and it begins to impact your central vision.
- Cataracts: This condition causes the eye’s lens to become blurry and significantly affects your vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes impacts the blood vessels, including those in the eyes, leading to impaired vision.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is another common cause of vision loss that occurs when there is too much pressure in the eyes.
Tips for Healthy Aging of Eyes
Following normal steps for good health can help preserve your vision. Here are some of the best places to start:
- Have regular eye exams: Regular eye exams allow your optometrist to detect and treat any potential eye diseases early.
- Manage ongoing conditions: Diabetes and high blood pressure play a significant role in eye health. Properly managing these conditions reduces their impact on your vision.
- Follow a good diet and exercise plan: Eating well and staying active go a long way in preserving your overall health, which has a positive effect on eye health.
- Protect your eyes from the sun: Wear sunglasses that block UV light and wide-brim hats when you are outdoors.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is vital for your eye and overall health.
Schedule Your Eye Care Appointment
Don’t let preventable issues steal your vision. Let the team at Shippee Family Eye Care help by scheduling an appointment at one of their locations: Lancaster office at (603) 788-3561, St. Johnsbury office at (802) 748-3536, Montpelier office at (802) 223-7723, or Littleton office at (603) 444-2484.