Ageing And Eye Problems – How To Deal With It?

Ageing brings a lot of differences within the body. The most basic problems that we all have to go through as we age include wrinkling skin, graying hair, and body aches. But, there is one other thing too that most of us have to encounter, and that is eye problems. There are a number of eye conditions that are linked to ageing, with the most basic one being presbyopia, which is nothing but long-sightedness that causes blurred vision, which makes it difficult for one to read or see objects that are at a close distance. While this is a very common age-related issue that can be treated with the help of prescribed glasses, there are many other problems that are considered a little more severe. These include cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. All these issues, if encountered, can be cured by nothing other than a surgery!

There is no medication, eye drops, or other therapies that can resolve any of the three problems mentioned above. All the three will require you to undergo surgery for sure. So, what are you supposed to do if you want to keep away from any such surgery? The good news is that if you keep yourself in good health as you age, you can prevent your eyes from encountering any such problems (at least for longer), and thus, any kind of surgery. Here’s how.

Regular eye examinations

One of the best options is to have regular eye examinations. While it is recommended that one must always undergo eye examinations at least once a year right from a very young age, it becomes important that one does so at least after the age of 40. Adults of and above the age of 40 must have a comprehensive eye examination from time to time, which can serve as a benchmark for the future years. Such eye examinations can help identify any of the three age-related problems or any other eye issues early on, before they do much damage, so that they can be treated at the earliest.

Lifestyle changes

A few simple lifestyle changes can also help a long way to ensure better eye health with ageing. These include –

• Keeping the shades on – Over exposure to ultraviolet light, like that coming from the sun, can increase the risk of macular degeneration as the increased UV light causes changes in the metabolism of the cells in the retina and the lens. Thus, you must always keep the sunlight from entering your eyes; and the best way to do this by keeping your shade on whenever you are out in the sun. The best shades are those that have a special UV protective coating on their lenses. And, you must also opt for wrap-around glasses so that your eyes are completely covered, both from the front and the sides.
• Maintaining a healthy weight – We know that obesity can affect the heart, blood sugar, and blood pressure. But, do you know that your excess weight can affect your eyes too!? Obesity increases the risk of glaucoma due to increased fluid build-up inside the eye, and macular degeneration due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the eyes. So, make sure you have a healthy diet rich in Vitamin A and C, such as carrots, orange, papaya, spinach, broccoli, and sweet potato. And, keep the fat off by giving up on fatty foods like bread, cakes, confectioneries, chocolates, and white flour.
• Quitting smoking – In spite of so many initiatives, advertisements, and campaigns, the consumption of tobacco is still on the rise. People are smoking cigarettes despite knowing the hazards, by calling it a way to relieve them from everyday stress. And, one bad news here is that people who smoke are at a significantly higher risk of developing macular degeneration, having almost 4 times more probability than a non-smoker. So, whether or not you want to save your lungs, you must stop smoking to save your eyes, one of the most sensitive organs of your body!
• Exercising – Exercising is known to have a host of benefits. It has been researched that those who are physically active have experienced lesser or at least delayed vision loss over 20 years than those who didn’t exercise at all. So, you should make it a point to get some exercise, even if it means half an hour a day. This will not only help keep vision issues at bay, but will also keep your fat away, and keep your heart and body healthy. You may also practice simple eye exercises to keep your eyes even healthier.

So, get moving, and embrace these simple lifestyle changes to keep your eyes healthy. And, don’t forget to undergo regular eye examinations at Arohi Eye Hospital, the best eye hospital in Mumbai.

Dr. Shradha Goel

Dr. Shradha Goel, Chief Surgeon at Arohi Eye Hospital, is a renowned Phaco-LASIK surgeon with over 10,000 surgeries to her credit. She earned her MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and a Master’s in Ophthalmology from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. As a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Goel specialises in LASIK, refractive errors, and cataract treatments.