Brevard Health Source 2016

EYE CARE
AS YOU AGE
FAMILY FEATURES
Which health screenings and exams are
top priorities for
you? If you’re like most adults,
monitoring your weight, cholesterol,
and blood pressure is probably part of your
health care routine. But what about vision care?
When adults reach their 40s, they often start
to notice small changes in their vision, which
can impact their daily lives and job performance.
Whether having difficulty reading a book or
working on a computer screen, such changes can
be frustrating, but they can often be addressed
by an eye care professional.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best
way to detect diseases and conditions that can
cause vision loss and blindness. That’s because
many have no symptoms in their early stages.
According to the National Eye Institute,
all adults aged 60 and older should have a
comprehensive dilated eye exam, with the
exception of African Americans, who are advised
to get the exams starting at age 40 due to a
higher risk of developing glaucoma at an earlier
age. Even if
you haven’t experienced any issues with your
sight, a dilated exam can detect serious eye
diseases and conditions such as age-related
macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic eye
disease, and glaucoma.
During a dilated eye exam, your eye care
professional places drops in your eyes to dilate,
or widen, the pupil. This lets more light enter
the eye, similar to the way an open door lets
more light into a dark room and allows your eye
care professional to get a good look at the back
of your eyes to examine them for any signs of
damage or disease.
Regular eye exams go a long way in helping
you see well for a lifetime. But there is more you
can do. Experts at the National Eye Institute
recommend following these additional steps to
protect your vision.
1. Live a healthy lifestyle. Living an overall
healthy life is good for your eyes. This includes:
Maintaining a healthy weight. Being
overweight or obese increases your risk of
developing diabetes and other systemic
conditions, which can lead to vision loss
from diabetic eye disease or glaucoma.
Eating healthy foods. You’ve heard carrots
are good for your eyes, but eating a diet
rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly
dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or
collard greens is important for keeping your
eyes healthy, too. Research has also shown
there are eye health benefits from eating
fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as
salmon, tuna, and halibut.
Not smoking. Smoking is as bad for
your eyes as it is for the rest of your
body. Research has linked smoking to an
increased risk of developing age-related
macular degen eration, cataract and optic
nerve damage, all of which
can lead to blindness.
52 | HealthSource A Comprehensive Guide to Health Care in Brevard County