The Importance of Eye Health: My Personal Journey
March is Save Your Vision Month. I want to share my story about the importance of eye health. Even if your eyes feel healthy, you can have a problem and not know it. That’s because many eye diseases don’t have any symptoms or warning signs.
I have worn glasses and had eye exams for years. A few years ago, at a routine exam, doctors diagnosed me with glaucoma. Later, I was also diagnosed with AMD, age-related macular degeneration.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 50 and increases as you age. It affects central vision, making it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces,
- Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.
I had no early warning signs or pain. My ophthalmologist found both issues through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This discovery underscores the importance of awareness and early intervention.
Both eye conditions are not curable but can be slowed down. My glaucoma is managed well with eye drops. I am on one of the latest high-dosage drugs for my wet AMD. I get injections in both of my eyes on a monthly basis. This treatment will continue for the rest of my life.
These two eye conditions can make your everyday activities challenging. Doing basic things, like reading a book, menu, or labels when shopping, can be difficult.
To remedy this, I use a digital magnifying glass that’s about the size of my iPhone. I carry it when I am away from home. It really helps with labels when buying similar-looking items. It ensures I come home with the correct one..
I have had to adjust my electronic devices to large print. I also change their brightness during the day. I am also planning on changing my laptop for a large screen desktop computer and large keyboard.
I hope sharing my personal story serves as a reminder. We need to take proactive steps in caring for our eyes and overall wellness. Regular eye exams and adopting healthy eye habits are important..
Caring for your eyes goes beyond just scheduling an annual eye exam. Adopt healthy habits and stay alert to vision changes. Make smart lifestyle choices. You can actively protect your eyesight and reduce the risk of long-term vision problems.
Eye Health Through Good Nutrition
Health Food For A Healthy Lifestyle
Your diet plays a massive role in eye health. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E effectively ward off age-related vision problems. You can increase your store of these vitamins by taking AREDS 2. It is an over-the-counter vitamin that has been very effective for eye health.
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and collard greens are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin.
- Fatty Fish: Salmon, tuna, and mackerel provide essential omega-3.
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges and grapefruits are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Reduce Eye Strain
In our digital age, we spend hours staring at screens. This can cause dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches.
- 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away. Do this for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye.
- Screen Brightness: Adjusting the brightness can help reduce discomfort. Increasing font size can also promote better visual health.
- Balancing Screen Use: Rest from screen time is important for long-term eye health. Consider reducing blue light exposure by using screen filters or enabling night mode on your devices, especially in the evening.
Healthy Habits
- Use UV Protection: Long-term exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses, even on cloudy days, to protect your eyes.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage.
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Tell me, do you go for a thorough eye exam to safeguard your vision? Do you take steps to protect your eyesight so that you can keep clear vision for years to come? Have you thought about changing your dietary habits for better health?
Thank you for sharing your vision journey. My husband was diagnosed with AMD several years ago and has been receiving shots ever since. He has responded so well to Vabysmo that his shots are spaced out to every 4 months. It’s amazing the options and treatments available these days. I remember when my dad was in the experimental trials for those glaucoma drops. Sending well wishes as you navigate your health challenges.
This reminds me that I haven’t visited my ophthalmologist in 3 years..need to make an appointment next week. Thanks, Karen!
This reminds me that I haven’t visited my ophthalmologist in 3 years..need to make an appointment next week. Thanks, Karen!
Hi Karen, I’m glad they have your eye conditions under control. My eyes were fantastic until I got to my 40s, but it’s been downhill since then. Eyes need as much TLC as possible!
hello Karen, your vision is so very important. I am glad to hear you have your vision under control with meds. My dad had AMD. I see my ophthalmologist every 6 months. I did had cataract surgery on one eye. We are watching the other eye to see when I might need surgery. Thanks for sharing such an important topic.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey, bringing to light a less-talked-about issue with growing older. Shots in the eyes sounds very daunting to me — I’m a big ‘ol baby about shots.
Excellent post Karen and I want to add to your story. Ask for your visit notes from your doctor, which will give info about eye pressure. Even though I saw my doctor on a yearly basis she did not refer me to a specialist until I had eye pressure of 35 in my right eye and optic nerve damage (glaucoma) and eye pressure of 25 in my left eye (also glaucoma but no nerve damage).
My doctor was negligent for not addressing my issue sooner. She then referred me to a specialist who got my eye pressure down in both eyes below 18-20. with eye drops and one laser treatment. My eye pressurre has been maintained for over 10 years. Cataracts I also have is a part of aging but glaucoma could have been prevented. I still have these old reports showing the decline…
Moral of the story is you may think you’re doing good by seeing a doctor every year but there are incompetent doctors out there so always ask for a copy of your records so you can see their findings. Be proactive I guess!
That is an excellent idea, too, Aunt Juju. I have an eye exam on the schedule next month and I am going to ask for a copy of the visit notes! — Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Thanks for sharing, Karen. My Mum has AMD and her treatments as you say while not curative have helped.
That’s a cautionary tale, Karen! The idea of having injections in my eyes is horrifying to me, but losing my sight would be my worst nightmare. Thanks for the tips. I do follow some of them but probably need to do more xx
Karen – thank you so much for such an informative post which should be truly helpful for all readers – and I am from a medical background. I had worn reading glasses for work since my 40s half-a-lifetime ago and had not really noticed my sight getting weaker and weaker until I was diagnosed with both early macular degeneration, varying in both eyes, and severe cataracts a year ago. The cataract operations (totally free in Australia), a month apart, were easy to bear and 100% successful – am now living with the AMD with no injections as yet needed but doing all the things you have suggested. The diet and the 20:20:20 exercises you have mentioned are both hugely important. Best for the future to both of us . . .
Hi Karen, so many of us visit a Dr. to address problems, not to prevent them. You offer sound advice to be preventive and pay attention to good eye health. I certainly need to wear sunglasses more often. I am glad that you are managing your issues, although not ideal by any means.
We had to see a new eye Dr. last year and she had some tests for folks our age (over 60). The test showed early signs of cataracts for Joe, where mine was almost clear. It’s amazing what they can screen these days so we can plan or change our habits to avoid losing our sight. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Put a check mark next to the glaucoma club for me. I’m grateful beyond belief that with a regimen of drops my pressure had stayed mid teens for several years. I see the specialist twice a year. I applaud your sharing this personal story because if you even helped one person to take care and stay on top of their eye health you did a good deed.
I have fairly regular eye check-ups but you’ve reminded me that I’m probably due again soon. Thank you for sharing your journey and also for the great tips. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help guard against so many ailments.
Hi Karen, thanks for sharing your eye journey. It’s interesting because scheduling an eye appointment has been on my list of things to do for weeks. I’ve definitely noticed a decline in my eye health and vision over the past couple of years which is never good.
Just recently I watched a video on how Tibetan monks keep their vision strong, including exercises to strengthen the cillary muscle. It was super interesting. There’s no doubt the amount of time we spend on our small screens contribute to the fact that so many of us now need reading glasses. I’m trying the exercises. Great post and very timely. Happy March and all the best to you. x
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to never have to worry about my vision so far (knock on wood) but I know I should be more proactive for the future. Everyone else, other than me, in my immediate family has glasses, too…
Thank you for this, Karen — as Mark’s father had macular degeneration (beofre the injections were available) we are so aware of the psychological pain this causes, especially for people who love to read, hike, and take/view photos. I am glad you are able to slow both conditions — enough so that you can enjoy things. As kids, we were alwyas taught that carrots were the key to eye health and, while they may help, I am so glad to know about the Omega-3s — this is news to me. And, yes, Mark and I get the full check up every year.
Thank you for your personal insights. One of my recent adjustments is to make the font bigger on my blog posts for readers; I don’t see how people can read the smaller font these days! (Fran from G’day Souffle’)
Thanks, Karen, for sharing these very important tips for maintaining good eye health. I hope the best for you in the future with your vision issues. I had two surgeries on my left eye in a 15 month period, and will probably have to have one more to solve another issue. I’m thankful for my excellent eye doctors!
Thanks, Karen, for your very important message and advice!
Thanks Karen for this important post and reminder. I do have regular eye exams. I had cataract surgery on both eyes in 2020 and that helped tremendously, especially with night driving.
Karen, thank you for sharing something so personal, your honesty about living with glaucoma and AMD really hits home, and I’m glad to hear the treatments are helping keep things steady for you. Wishing you continued strength and the very best as you navigate this journey.
I agree. It is so important to take care of your eyes. They are the gateway to your overall health.
I am glad that you have a wonderful doctor and fabulous meds to keep everything under control.
🙏🙏🙏
I am so sorry you are going through this but it sounds like you have a very good process for keeping it under control. One of the best hints is giving your eyes a rest for computer and any IT work. So important. Please take care. Healthy World Cuisine
it’s a bit scary getting older and the eyes getting weaker. I have noticed it in the past year especially. You have reminded me to go to the optometrist very soon! Good luck with your eyes.
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Karen, thank you so much for sharing this important information with us. So sorry you’re going through all this but glad you’re taking care of it. I get an eye exam every year and plan this time to ask the doctor for a copy of the visit notes, as suggested by one of your commenters. I have several friends with various eye problems, including the ones you are dealing with. I’m going to be trying out the 20-20-20 Rule, something I’d never heard of until now! — Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
I do take regular eye exams but I confess, I’m not quite so up on some of the other thigs. Just today I was with a small group and we started talking about some of this, specifically the REDS and the foods like salmon, dark leafy greens and fruit. From your post, I’ve learned even more and some excellent and wise tips I need to take to heart. Thanks, Karen.
So many good tips! I can definitely feel my eyesight change now that I’m in my 50’s. Ugh.
This is such an important reminder to take care of our eyes. My grandmother had AMD, and I saw the effects of it over time. I’m glad you are able to manage yours, Karen! And thank you for the gentle reminders in this post. 🙂
It really does suck getting old! MD is apparently more common in blue-eyed woman. Who knew? I go for eye exams every year, when I’m 65, it will be part of my Seniors Health Care through the Ontario government. Emergencies are always covered. We have always had a good diet of leafy greens, and my ophthalmologist always comments how healthy my eyes are. I’m fortunate, it’s not a given at my age, 63. It’s very generous of you to post your journey, I wish you all the best through it.
Thanks for the reminder! Since I’ve had Lasik, I tend to forget about yearly checks. I need to tag along with Bill when he goes for his next appt.
Hey Karen sorry to hear you have eye issues so did my dear Mum. I’m so aware of this and have yearly if not 6mthly visits to a specialist. Our eyes are so very important … hugs