Imagine you’ve come home from a long day at work, and you can’t see your way around the kitchen. You’re familiar with every corner of the room—after all, you’ve been there hundreds of times before—but today, it’s all pitch-black. You have to feel your way along the wall to get to the light switch, and when you flip it on, your vision is nothing but a blur.
Most of us will never have to experience that kind of frustration, but we might if we’re not careful. The fact is that millions of people in America suffer from vision problems. More than 4.2 million Americans aged 40 years or older either have legal blindness or low vision in their better-seeing eye (excluding those categorized as entirely blind).
Of course, part of maintaining good vision is being proactive about protecting our eyes from things like sun damage and trauma, but sometimes we forget that our overall health has a lot to do with eye health.
LEADING CAUSES OF BLINDNESS IN THE UNITED STATES
- Refractive Errors – Among the most common vision issues in the US are Refractive Errors. Myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (distortion of vision at all distances), and presbyopia (loss of ability to focus up close) can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. According to the National Eye Institute, a proper refractive correction could benefit 150 million Americans.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration – Eye disease caused by aging that damages sharp and central vision, macular degeneration is also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clear central vision is required for daily tasks like reading and driving. Macula AMD affects the eye’s ability to see fine details. AMD is classified as wet or dry.
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Glaucoma develops when the eye’s normal fluid pressure slowly rises.
- Cataract – As the leading cause of blindness worldwide and in the United States, cataracts cloud the eye’s lens. It is possible to be born with cataracts, which can occur at any age for various reasons.
FIVE TIPS TO PREVENT VISION LOSS
- Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam
- Maintain your blood sugar levels.
- Give your eyes a rest.
- Eat right to protect your sight.
- Know your family’s eye health history.
The eyes are the windows to the soul, but they’re also an essential part of your health. So it’s vital to do what you can to keep them healthy and make sure you’re seeing your best!
The good news is that by following those simple tips for maintaining healthy eyes, you can keep your peepers in tip-top shape well into your golden years.
If you are experiencing any symptoms or problems, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can visit our website or call us at 817 277 6433 (Arlington) or 817 477 0223 (Mansfield)
