Age-Related Eye Diseases

We seem resigned to the idea that as we age, we will have trouble getting around, become hard of hearing, and begin to not see too well. Leading eye care researchers and clinicians, though, are calling for a shift in the way we think of vision and aging. The fact is, low vision can often be delayed or prevented with appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
You can’t control the passage of time, but you can do a great deal to preserve your sight as you age:

• Be aware of your risk factors. You need to know what genetic factors, lifestyle choices, diseases, and exposures place you in a higher risk category for certain diseases so that you and your vision care provider can adjust your screening intervals accordingly.
• Have a baseline eye exam at age 40 if you are an adult with no risk factors for cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, or diabetic retinopathy. People who have no vision problems or obvious risk factors should have a baseline eye examination at age 40, to establish a standard against which future exam results can be compared.
• Get screened earlier or more frequently screening if you have risk factors for cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, or diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, for example, or if you fall into a high-risk ethnic group, you should receive thorough eye examinations more often. Click on the links above for lists of risk factors and recommended screening intervals.
• Cooperate with your vision care provider. This advice applies to examinations, preventive measures, treatment, and follow-up care. If you have diabetes, for example, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination annually. If you have glaucoma, you should use your eye drops daily as prescribed. If you have AMD and your provider has asked you to test your vision with an Amsler grid, you should do so every day. After cataract surgery, you should wear your eye shield and use your antibiotics as your provider has instructed.
• Listen to your body and report any new symptoms promptly to your vision care provider. If your vision changes, especially if you have AMD or diabetic retinopathy, tell your provider immediately.

To read the original click here.
Human eye is an amazing organ that most of us rely on every waking moment of the day.
You have only a pair of eyes, so take care of your eyes. It is always a good idea to consult with your eye doctor to discuss your options.