As someone who wears bifocal contacts and trifocal glasses, I’m always thinking about my eye health and what I can do now to preserve my vision as I age. That’s why learning that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month caught my attention.
Glaucoma is not a single disease, but a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. While only an eye care professional can diagnose glaucoma, it’s helpful to know that in all forms of the condition, the optic nerve—the nerve that connects the eye to the brain—is damaged, often due to increased pressure inside the eye. Treatment options may include eye drops, medications, or surgery.
Because glaucoma often has no early warning signs, regular comprehensive eye exams are critical. These exams check not only vision changes, but also eye pressure and signs of eye disease. Knowing your family history is also important, as glaucoma can be hereditary. Sharing this information with your eye care provider allows them to monitor your eye health more closely and better assess your risk.
There are additional steps you can take to protect your vision. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors and protective eyewear when doing home projects. Maintain a healthy diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin act as a natural sunblock by absorbing excess light before it reaches the retina, while vitamin A supports low-light vision and overall eye health.
Just as with overall wellness, avoiding smoking or vaping, staying physically active, and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes can also support eye health. If you spend time on digital screens, remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
Finally, keep an eye out for free vision screenings in your community, or contact your local eye care professional to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Taking small steps today can help protect your vision for years to come.
Dana Morrell is the Community Services Supervisor at SeniorsPlus.
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