Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Eyes as You Age

1. Healthy Diet & Maintain a Healthy Weight

   Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population. Preventing diabetes with a healthy diet will also help protect your eyes. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the older population. Carotenoids (lutein, xeaxanthin and meso-xeaxanthin) are beneficial as well as getting enough omega 3 fatty acids. The best advice is to follow a Mediterranean Diet.

2. Regular Eye Exams

   Having regular eye exams is key to detecting age-related eye diseases early. Optometrists can detect diabetic signs in your retina (back of the eye) during a dilated eye exam.

   Another disease that can go undetected without eye exams is glaucoma. It is known as the ‘thief of vision’. There are no symptoms until the damage is done so significant it results in permanent damage.

3. Wear Sunglasses

   UV damage is a risk factor for cataracts and age related macular degeneration.

4. Stop Smoking

   Smokers have up to 4 times the risk of developing macular degeneration - the leading cause of blindness in the US.

5. Managing Chronic Conditions

   Walking 150 minutes per week reduces the risk of prediabetes becoming type 2 diabetes. Walking is also crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and managing high blood pressure.

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