Active Aging

SPRING 2021 | ACTIVE AGING 7 BY KRISTIN MARAND T hree quarters of vision problems can be treated if caught in time. Trouble is, by the time most people notice something's wrong with their eyesight, the problem has already taken root. Regular visits to the optometrist can be the key to preserving healthy eyesight as you age. Citing a recent study, Doctor of Optometry Irene Mestito-Dao says that while over 70 per cent of people say that they value their sight, only one-third of people get their eyes checked by an optometrist. "I think that people don't realize their eyes age," she says. "They mistakenly think that they'll be able to tell when something is wrong with their eyes. But if they don't get them checked regularly, they could be too late." Changes in vision progress over time. Some people notice blurred vision or a reduced ability to focus, especially on points that are near as they move through middle-age. Others may experience dry eyes or eye strain as the result of weakening muscles around the eye. Common conditions can also include the lens of your eye becoming less elastic or cloudy, floaters, retinal disorders like macular degeneration and eye diseases such as glaucoma. There are also numerous social and physical factors that can influence how your eyes may be affected as you age. If your career was spent in front of a computer or you are a voracious reader, for instance, strain on your eyes, especially from screens, can lead to discomfort, headaches and vision distortion. Even if you're not currently experiencing symptoms, 20/20 vision doesn't necessarily mean you have good eye health. "You could have 20/20 vision, but actually still have vision loss tomorrow because you didn't know that it was going to break," warns Dr. Mestito-Dao. Diet and overall health can also be contributing factors in how well eyesight can be maintained. For example, conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can increase your risk of eye disease. That's where diet comes in, notes Dr. Mestito-Dao. "A balanced diet that includes dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, nuts and legumes, antioxidant and beta-carotene rich foods like blueberries and orange peppers as well as fatty fish like salmon or tuna is a good place to start," she says. "It can also be supplemented with ocular vitamins." Due to increased isolation and the changes in daily life due to the pandemic, many people have been spending more time on devices and in front of screens over the past year. The result has been a rise in patients experiencing eye strain. "We're not getting the breaks that we used to," she says. "Try to take a 15-minute break for every 45 minutes of screen time or employ the 20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look 20 feet away." Dr. Mestito-Dao likens the importance of getting your eyes checked to taking your car in for regular maintenance: you want to know the brakes aren't working well before they stop working completely. "That's why people get maintenance – they want to know ahead of time that something's going to break down before they're actually behind the wheel and the car doesn't stop," she adds. The truth is, your eyes and the surrounding muscles can degrade over time. Consequently, one of the best things you can do to preserve your eyesight is to reduce the amount of strain on your eyes. Be aware of changes in your eyesight and be proactive. Wear sunglasses outdoors, work in good lighting, monitor and limit your screen time, wear glasses if they're prescribed to you, and – of course – make sure to get regular eye exams. For more recommendations or information on any of the conditions listed above or to find an optometrist, visit www.mb-opto.ca. Keep Good Health in Sight: Stay Active & Get Your Eyes Tested "I think that people don't realize their eyes age. They mistakenly think that they'll be able to tell when something is wrong with their eyes. But if they don't get them checked regularly, they could be too late." It's important to get your eyes checked regularly as you age.

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