Protect your Eyes Now, Have Better Vision Later

Just as certain lifestyle adjustments will go a long way towards improving your overall health as you age, taking the time to protect your eyes now will help you maintain better vision down the road. By following a few simple tips, you can decrease your risk of serious vision problems as you age.

For young people (20's and 30's), perhaps the best thing to do is to wear sunglasses as often as possible. Ultraviolet rays will increase your risk of many eye diseases, as well as myopia and skin cancer around the eyes. If you work in front of a computer screen all day, take frequent screen breaks and use an antiglare screen filter to help reduce the eye damage caused by prolonged computer use.

For many people with refractive errors such as nearsightedness, your vision may level off in your early 30's. If so, you may want to consider LASIK surgery to correct your vision. Check with your ophthalmologist to see if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK.

As you enter your 40's, you should go for a regular eye exam every year or two to detect early stages of vision disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). When detected early, these disorders are treatable. However, if they persist for long enough, you run the risk of serious vision problems, including blindness.

It is also important to stay physically fit. By getting at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, you will decrease your risk of diabetes, which is a major cause of vision disorders.

People in their 50's, 60's, and 70's should make sure to eat plenty of dark, leafy greens. The antioxidants in these vegetables will lower your risk of AMD. Foods containing high concentrations of vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, and zinc will also help reduce the risk of vision disorders.

Many post-menopausal women experience dry eyes. If you suffer from this condition, you may want to use eye drops regularly to ensure that your eyes are properly lubricated.

By following these simple steps, you can substantially reduce your risk of eye problems as you age, so that you can maintain the proper vision to enjoy a healthy and happy life.

You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.