Keeping healthy vision as we age

It’s no question that our eyes are important. We’ve all heard the saying “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” but did you know they are also a window to our overall health?

Vision disorders are the second-most common health condition for older adults in the United States. Even if you have 20/20 vision now, understanding what vision changes you can expect with age is important not only for your vision health, but also your overall health.

Vision changes that come with aging

Regular exams with your eye doctor can help diagnose vision-related issues such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and many more. They can also help diagnose other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.

As you can see, there’s more to vision health than being near or farsighted. It’s important to be aware of changes in our vision as we get older.

Vision changes to watch out for:

• Blurry or weakened vision
• Double vision
• Redness or swelling
• Flashes of light
• Eye pain
• New floaters
• Tearing
• Eyelid swelling or itching

If you notice any of these changes in your vision, it’s time to visit your eye doctor. However, you shouldn’t just visit your eye doctor when you notice something wrong with your vision. Preventive care between your doctor visits is another equally important step in having healthy eyes. Many vision issues, such as glaucoma, can be discovered before any symptoms are present.

Keeping vision healthy as we age

Here are some helpful tips to prevent damage to your vision:

• Wear sunglasses outside
• Eat a balanced diet
• Stay active
• Control other preexisting conditions
• Stop smoking
• Take breaks from electronic devices

If you’re looking for vision coverage, DeltaVision® makes it easy to care for your vision, find an eye doctor, and make an appointment.

We partner with popular providers like LensCrafters® and Target Optical℠ in addition to many smaller, independent doctors. These retailers offer conveniences such as multiple locations and extended hours to help members get the service they need when they need it.

Click here to learn more about our vision coverage.

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