Aging causes many unwanted changes to the body, including our vision. Visiting an eye care professional for a comprehensive exam is one of the most important things you can do to reduce vision loss. Even if your eyes seem fine, sometimes, age-related eye conditions show no symptoms. Healthy Aging Month is the perfect time for an assessment at Nevada Eye Physicians. You can check for common eye diseases and make sure your prescription is up-to-date by visiting one of our offices in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, or Pahrump, NV.
What is Healthy Aging Month?
The month of September is known as Healthy Aging Month, a time to raise awareness about the many aspects of growing older. The board-certified professionals at Nevada Eye Physicians also hope to teach adults and seniors about the importance of healthy eyes. Even though your risk for eye disease increases with age, many individuals neglect to see an eye doctor on a regular basis. If you are 65 years or older, make sure to visit your eye care practitioner every year, or as often as recommended.
Know your risk for age-related eye conditions
Age-related eye conditions cause everyday tasks, such as reading, to become challenging or even impossible. This is why it is important for patients to know their personal and family health history to see if they are at risk. Many eye diseases are due to genetics, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Keep in mind that obesity also increases your risk of forming diabetes and other conditions that could lead to vision loss. If you have trouble maintaining a healthy weight, speak to your doctor about your options.
How to maintain healthy eyes for life
Many patients want to preserve their vision for as long as possible, but simply do not know how. Below, we discuss tips to help you prevent your vision from getting worse with age. If you have questions about any of the following information, reach out to Nevada Eye Physicians for a quick call. We look forward to teaching you about the importance of healthy eyes.
- Eat a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are known to keep your eyes healthy and disease-free.
- Maintain a healthy weight. As we stated before, individuals with a high BMI are at greater risk for disease. Shedding away extra pounds can prevent diabetic retinopathy that eventually leads to vision loss.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking and nicotine products increase your risk for age-related macular degeneration and other diseases that damage the optic nerve.
- Wear sunglasses when going outside. Exposure to ultraviolet rays also leads to vision complications. Choose sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation.
- Wear protective eyewear such as safety glasses when playing contact sports. Most protective lenses are made of sturdy polycarbonate.
- Consider nutritional supplements. Vitamins C and E are known to promote eye health and help patients with macular degeneration.
- Rest your eyes. People who spend hours on their computers every day experience dry eye and fatigue. Reduce eye strain by using lubricant eye drops and taking a break every 20 minutes.
Learn about the importance of healthy eyes
Whether you wear corrective lenses or never needed vision correction, patients should think about the quality of their eyesight on a daily basis. During Healthy Aging Month, we encourage you to schedule an eye exam and learn how to protect your eyes from vision loss. Nevada Eye Physicians offers comprehensive services and state-of-the-art tools in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, and Pahrump, NV. We place a high priority on patient care.
