Unfortunately, as we age our eyes and vision change just like the rest of our body. It is vital to keep up with your vision health to detect eye disease and help prevent blindness. As we get older, we are more at risk for eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, corneal disorders, and retinal disorders.
Some symptoms are indicative of eye disease in which you should see an ophthalmologist immediately. These symptoms are:
- Eye pain, sudden or chronic
- Any sudden changes in vision such as sudden blindness or blurriness
- Have double vision
- Begin to see flashes of light
- Redness or swelling of the eye
At age 40, if you have not already, it is recommended that you have a comprehensive eye exam for an ophthalmologist to assess your current eye health and your risk for underlying eye diseases. Your ophthalmologist will let you know how often you should visit the eye doctor. If you have conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, you should be assessed annually by an ophthalmologist. If there are complications, your visits will be more frequent.
In addition to getting regular eye exams, there are some preventative measures to take to keep your eyes at optimal health as you age:
- Maintain your physical health by controlling your blood pressure and blood sugars, eating well, and exercising regularly
- Prevent eye strain while on the computer and make sure you blink at least every 20 seconds to make sure your eyes stay lubricated and look away every 20 minutes to focus on something else, so your eyes don’t tire
- Protect against UV rays that damage your eyes by always wearing 100% UV-protected sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat while outdoors.
To discuss aging and your eyes or schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact Grosinger, Spigelman, and Grey in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment today.