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The aging eyes

As adults age, they often notice many little health issues that are more annoyance than harm. Just as hearing loss is a natural part of aging that necessitates the use of assistive listening devices and other hearing loss solutions, so are vision problems a natural part of aging. The general term for natural vision loss is presbyopia, which is the gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to easily focus on nearby objects. Most adults begin experiencing presbyopia in their mid-40s, and it increases gradually until one’s mid-60s.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of presbyopia include:

  • Blurred vision when reading at a normal distance
  • Headaches or strained eyes after doing work up-close or reading
  • Holding books or magazines farther from your eyes in order to make out the text more clearly

Causes and treatment
Presbyopia is natural and extremely common. It occurs when the lens of the eye hardens as we age, which means it has more difficulty changing shape to focus on closer things. The obvious correctors for presbyopia are glasses or contact lenses. If you don’t need glasses for any other reason, many doctors today will even recommend just buying inexpensive, over-the-counter eyeglasses at the drug store. But if you already use corrective glasses or contact lenses for astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness, you’ll have to get a prescription pair to accommodate these needs. Some people choose to undergo laser surgery to improve their vision. Your eye doctor can help you decide what’s best for you.

Other eye issues
While presbyopia is common and normal, there are other eye issues that are of more serious concern because they are more disruptive to every day life, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Glaucoma occurs when extra fluid in the eye puts pressure on the optic nerve, damaging it. Cataracts is when the lens becomes cloudy, distorting vision, while macular degeneration can cause blindness. However, recent research has shown that certain antioxidants and nutrients – such as vitamins C and E, lutein and omega-3 fatty acids – are linked to a lower risk of these more serious eye issues. Here is a list of foods – most of them fruits and vegetables – to consider including in your diet for good eye health:

  • Vitamin C: Research has shown that vitamin C can lower one’s risk of cataracts as well as slow the progress of macular degeneration and visual acuity loss when combined with other nutrients. Vitamin C-rich foods include grapefruit, oranges, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, kiwis, red berries and broccoli.
  • Omega-3s: These fatty acids are good for many things, including macular health and retina function. Foods rich in omega-3s include salmon, flax seed, soybeans, walnuts and sardines.
  • Vitamin A: It promotes good vision in low light and can be produced from beta-carotene. Foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, eggs, green leafy vegetables, squash and carrots.
  • Lutein: This nutrient found in yellowish fruits and veggies and leafy greens protects the macula for blue light from UV rays. While the eyes have a certain amount to begin with, the body does not produce it. Foods high in lutein include kale, spinach, collard greens, corn, Brussels sprouts and eggs.