BEAUTY
Seeing Clearly Now Set your sights on healthy eyes By Dr. Dharmendra (Dave) R. Patel
O
f the five senses, most people consider sight to be the most precious. But some vision changes are unavoidable as we grow older—even for perfectly healthy people without other medical issues. Many of us first notice vision changes in our 40s. The eye’s lenses harden over time, and as we approach middle age it often becomes difficult to focus on close objects or read fine print. This condition, called presbyopia, is easily corrected with reading eyeglasses or a stronger prescription lens. Today, many surgery options are available as well, including LASIK. Cataracts are also common as we grow older. Affecting many people in their 60s and 70s, cataracts occur as the lenses become cloudy and stiff, blurring both near and distant vision. Left untreated,
cataracts can make it difficult to see and navigate our surroundings, causing people to slip and fall and significantly increasing the chances of car accidents. Fortunately, cataract surgery has advanced remarkably. Today, it’s one of the most commonly performed medical procedures worldwide, posing minimal risk. Surgeons can even replace cloudy lenses with advanced technology multifocal implants to restore patients’ youthful vision. In their 70s and 80s, people face a greater risk of macular degeneration. This serious condition is a breakdown of the macula or retina and the light-sensing nerves that line the back of the eyes. Unfortunately, there is no viable treatment. As the disease progresses, patients gradually lose their vision. In the United States, macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness. There is a genetic link associated with macular degeneration and a higher risk among people with light skin. Unlike macular degeneration, glaucoma disproportionately affects people of color.
Glaucoma results when the optic nerve is damaged from high pressure inside the eye. As the optic nerve deteriorates, it creates blind spots, which can lead to irreversible vision loss. But with early diagnosis and treatment— such as eye drops, medication or surgery— vision loss can be prevented. A little eye care and good overall habits can help preserve your vision and eye health. To help keep your eyes healthy: • Eat foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. • Don’t smoke—or quit . • Wear wraparound sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B protection. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Wear safety glasses when working in the wind or hazardous conditions. • Use eye drops for dry eyes caused by hot, dry weather or computer use. • Have your vision screened at age 40—and every few years after that. Some eye conditions are true medical emergencies. Don’t hesitate to see your physician if you feel sudden or severe eye pain, scratch your eye or experience lingering, unexplained redness. Seeing flashes of light or floaters in your vision are also causes for concern. These visual disturbances can be signs of a retinal tear or detached retina and call for immediate medical attention. Take good care of your eyes today so you can see well into the future. Dr. Dharmendra (Dave) R. Patel is an ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix. In practice for over 15 years, he specializes in the surgical and medical management of glaucoma, cataract surgery, corneal transplants and dry eye treatment.
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85085 | MAY 2020
