A recent survey suggests that many Americans may turn a blind eye to the dangers of poor vision care. Commissioned by the American Optometric Association (AOA), the survey shows that 81 percent of Americans use glasses, contact lenses, or both, but more than a quarter have not visited an eye doctor or eye care specialist within the past two years. The survey indicates that many Americans may not be paying enough attention to their eyesight and overall eye health.

Why Regular Visits Are Important
Vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can develop with no obvious pain or symptoms, so people are often unaware that a problem exists. In fact, AMD can advance so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. Early diagnosis of such problems is important to maintain good vision.

The AOA recommends that every adult should have a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years. People older than age 60 should see their eye doctor every year, according to the AOA. Regular visits to an eye doctor can help detect the signs of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, which can affect the eyes. A comprehensive eye exam can also help detect serious vision conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and AMD. Detecting problems early—and treating them promptly—may help avoid long-term complications and vision loss.

Good Nutrition May Help
Eating a healthy diet may help protect aging eyes, but many Americans don’t know which types of foods may be beneficial. In the AOA survey, 48 percent of respondents incorrectly believed that carrots are best for eye health. In reality, some studies show that dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and kale—which provide the compounds lutein and zeaxanthin—may help protect the eyes against cataracts and AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also available as nutritional supplements.

Other research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, might help prevent AMD. While more research is needed, nutrition shows promise as a means of protecting the eyes from conditions such as cataracts and AMD.

Learn More Online
Visit www.paramounthealthcare.com and click on “Better Health for Life,” “M” in the encyclopedia at the top, and “Macular Degeneration.”