Katelyn Jespersen
Have you had your eyes checked in the last year? Did you know 32.2 million Americans aged 18 and older report that they have experienced vision loss? Regular vision checkups are very important! The most debilitating eye diseases are glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and refractive errors.
Risk factors: The greatest risk for most of these diseases is age, but let’s look at other factors that play a role in eye health too. Oxidative stress from environmental pollutants or “free-radicals” can cause damage. Examples of this are secondhand smoke or other chemicals. Sunlight can cause damage due to UV radiation, especially when sunglasses or hats are not used. Poor diets, especially high in fat that may cause high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Amsler Grid: While covering one eye, look at the dot in the center of the grid. If lines are wavy or distorted, you should see your eye-care professional, this could be a sign of macular degeneration. It is estimated that 19.8 million Americans aged 40 and older are currently living with AMD.