Currently, there are more than 40 million people age 65 and older in the USA, and that number is expected to double by 2050. This means that the number of people with age-related eye health issues will inevitably increase. It doesn't have to be this way for you. Make healthy aging a goal!

When we think of growing older, we often picture ourselves not being able to do the things we once loved. This can be reading, cooking, spending time with family; the list is endless. It's important to know this fact: aging does not equate to vision loss.

How Do I Keep My Vision "Young?"

The National Eye Institute (NEI) urges people 50 and over to go to their eye doctors regularly. Many patients have said they hadn't noticed any signs of age-related eye health issues prior to their doctor appointment. Many of these issues can happen gradually without us noticing.  Comprehensive dilated eye exams help detect age-related eye health issues before they progress so a doctor can help you create a plan of action. Regardless, it's important to educate yourself and learn what the most common changes in aging vision are. These changes can include:

• Difficulty seeing objects clearly
• Difficulty seeing objects, even when you're close to them
• Difficulty distinguishing colors, e.g. blue from black
• A need for more light

If you notice any of these changes in your vision, it's time to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor! Some changes could simply mean you need glasses or better lighting, while other changes may mean immediate action needs to be taken to protect your vision. Ignoring these changes or believing they'll get better over time is a mistake that could cost you your sight.

What Can I Do To Protect My Vision From Age-Related Eye Health Issues?

This is a good point to reflect on your lifestyle. We all know that smoking and a bad diet can affect your overall health, but few know how much it specifically affects eye health. By not getting enough zeaxanthin via your diet or an eye vitamin, you leave your vision unprotected against age-related eye health issues. The lifestyle factors below are some of your best weapons against aging vision:

• Don't smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Know if there's any family history of age-related eye health issues.
• Participate in physical activity regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes zeaxanthin and Omega-3s.
• Take eye vitamins that contain high-quality dietary zeaxanthin.

Want to learn more about protecting your vision from aging? Click here.