WELLNESS
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Regular eye checks can prevent vision loss Writes Ruby Harfield
E
ye health can be maintained by a well-balanced diet and regular eye checks can detect age related vision loss earlier. Eye Institute’s Dr Narme Deva, an expert in cataract surgery and retinal disease, said it is important to get regular eye checks at an optometrist or eye specialist to ensure any eye conditions are caught early on. Many conditions, especially those that are age-related, don’t have any symptoms until they have progressed. People often check their eyes when they are five-years-old and then often not again until their 40s unless they have blurry vision, Dr Deva said. It is important to have an eye check at least once in your 20s and 30s, or more frequently if there is a family history of eye problems. “Most people develop symptoms of difficulty focusing on nearby objects in their 40s (presbyopia). “This is part of the normal aging process but from your 40s you should get your eyes checked every five years or so.” This should become yearly from the time people reach 60 to 65. The reason for these checks is to help optometrists and eye specialists
find conditions before they become symptomatic. There are also things people can do at home to maintain good eye health. “All the stuff your parents would have told you growing up – a good healthy balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables, Omega 3 fatty acids.” Definitely do not smoke as it increases the risk of developing eye problems, Dr Deva said. UV rays can start affecting people’s eyes from quite a young age so sunglasses, wide brimmed hats and safety eyewear are important. “Try to protect your eyes.” One condition that is not always age-related is diabetic eye disease and it can cause significant eye problems. “The biggest risk factor is the duration of your diabetes which you can’t control as once you’ve got it you’ve got it, but how well you control you sugar levels can help a lot.” Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also affect eyesight. COMMON AGE-RELATED EYE CONDITIONS: Cataracts The lens inside your eye is important for focusing but it can become cloudy as you age. It’s like looking through a
frosted window. Surgery is the only treatment. It is a successful small procedure to remove the natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens that lasts for your whole life. Cataracts are completely treatable with surgery. Glaucoma Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions relating to damage to the nerve at the back of the eye. It is often linked to eye pressure problems and can lead to vision loss. This is irreversible but if it is picked up early enough, the vision loss can be preventable. That’s why regular eye checks are important. Age-related macular degeneration Macular degeneration affects your central vision. There’s evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin (green leafy vegetables) give protection for the macula which is the area affected by macula degeneration There are two types, wet and dry and they can coexist. Dry is the most common and a certain combination of vitamins (AREDS) can slow the progress. These are available over the counter. Wet can be controlled by a series of medications (anti-VEGF drugs) into the back of the eye.
Eye Institute’s Dr Narme Deva is an expert in cataract surgery and retinal disease. Photo/Supplied
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