Like other parts of your body, age can lead to wear and tear on the eyes. Sometimes it’s nothing to worry about. Dry eyes, for example, are rather common. The ability to stay lubricated can wane with age. Seeing dark spots in the center of your field of vision, however, can signify something more severe.
Risk assessment for eye trouble can also be instrumental in preventing your eyes from experiencing a rapid decline. Catching trouble early will allow you to seek viable treatment techniques to preserve vision well into the future.
Your overall health can provide some insight into your risk for eye diseases. Family history, high blood pressure, and diabetes may put you at a higher risk for eye problems.
But when should you call a doctor? There are several symptoms to suggest you could be headed for major trouble, perhaps blindness, by leaving these symptoms unchecked:
- Change in iris color
- Crossed eyes
- Black spots in the center of your field of vision
- Double vision
- Trouble focusing on near and distant objects
- Cloudy vision
- Excess discharge/tearing
- Floaters/flashes
- Halos
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Spots in field of vision
These are just a few of the symptoms that can indicate a major vision problem like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in older folks, or other conditions like cataracts or glaucoma.
Like other health conditions, it could be possible to prevent or at least lower the risk of age-related vision problems. Some of the ways to do this include looking at your overall health profile, increasing activity, monitoring food intake, and shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Exercise can play a big role in protecting your eyes. There is some research to suggest regular exercise, like brisk walking, can reduce your risk of AMD by up to 70%. Exercise can also help control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Nutrition is also a key player in vision health. High-antioxidant foods like colorful fruit and vegetables, particularly leafy greens, can provide valuable vitamins and minerals essential to eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids are also associated with improved vision.
Protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays is another way to prevent oxidative stress that can harm vision. Wearing 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and other lenses will prevent these rays from leading to severe damage.