Your eye health can begin to deteriorate with age. Men and women over the age of 60 might begin to notice certain conditions that require treatment. There are also certain precautions and tips that men and women should follow to maintain their eye health.
Women May Be at a Higher Risk for Certain Eye Diseases
Women are more likely than men to have vision problems and issues due to glaucoma. It is important for all women to follow the screening guidelines and listen to what their ophthalmologist recommends when they go in for an appointment. Putting off treatment can result in worsening conditions that could even lead to blindness.
Low Vision
Having low vision can cause even the most mundane daily tasks to become difficult. Normal aging won’t always lead to low vision. This problem can also be a result of injuries, eye disease, or both. Low vision symptoms may include the loss of peripheral or central vision, night blindness, or blurred vision. A person with these symptoms might have problems recognizing faces, shopping, reading, or driving. An ophthalmologist will look for any underlying conditions that may be causing you to experience these symptoms. Some people simply need brighter lighting sources in their homes. Always speak to your ophthalmologist if you have any concerns.
Avoiding Eye Injuries
Home improvements can cause eye injuries in men and women who do not protect their eyes. Of course, wearing protective eyewear can easily prevent this from occurring, so everyone should have one or more pairs of safety glasses readily available.
It is also very important to reduce fall risks, which can occur more often as we age because of changes in balance and vision.
Systemic Health Issues
Systemic health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure may also cause eye health problems in women and men. If you frequently cannot see clearly, this could be a sign of diabetes or high blood pressure. Always inform your ophthalmologist about your current health conditions and any medication use.
Exercise
Regular exercise does more for a person than just weight loss. It also stimulates oxygen intake and blood circulation, something the eyes need. However, weight loss is important for more than just aesthetic reasons. Staying within a healthy weight range will reduce your risk of diabetes and then diabetic retinopathy. Gentle exercise can be effective ways to stay healthy and happy. Consider stretching, bike-riding, walking, tai chi, or yoga. Always wear protective eyewear during sports activities to protect your eyes from injury. You should also wear sunscreen every time that you are outside.
Sleep
Our eyes continuously lubricate themselves as we sleep. They also clear away any irritants that may have accumulated during your day, as well. There are studies that propose that there are light-sensitive cells in our eyes that help to regulate every one of our wake-sleep cycles. Because of this, we need to always protect our eyes from too much exposure to ultra-violet light. In order to maintain a normal wake-sleep cycle, we should also make sure to regularly expose our eyes to natural light sources.
Campus Eye Group & Laser Center offers men and women full-service eye care. We have been in business for over 35 years and are dedicated to our patients. Contact us today if you are concerned about your eyes or if you have any questions that we can answer. We are here to help.
