8 Ways To Protect Eye Health Today To Prevent Vision Loss As You Age

It is essential to take care of your eyes early on to maintain clear and healthy vision and prevent eye disease as you get older. Let's take a look at some of the most common eye conditions and how to prevent them using healthy lifestyle practices.

Symptoms include blurry, hazy vision with more glare and light sensitivity, particularly at night. A cataract is a leading cause of blindness worldwide1.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry (or non-neovascular) and wet (or neovascular). Dry macular degeneration happens when there is the presence of drusen only, while wet occurs when new blood vessels form. The dry form is the earliest, most common form of macular degeneration. The subsequent wet form is more sight-threatening. It is one of the most common causes of blindness and profound vision loss over the age of 60, and it's expected to affect nearly 300 million people worldwide by 20404.

Glaucoma is thought to be a neurodegenerative disease of the eye, similar to Alzheimer's in the brain. Unlike cataract and macular degeneration, which both affect central vision and lead to early symptoms, glaucoma does not have any symptoms until the disease is much more advanced. As such, it is often referred to as the "silent disease." It's another common cause of blindness, with an estimated number of patients being affected to exceed 110 million by 2040.

It is projected that approximately 160 million patients will present with diabetic retinopathy by 2045. Managing systemic blood sugar is key to mitigating this condition.

Though many people associate dry eyes with red, irritated, and tired eyes, the condition can be serious and debilitating. In its most advanced stage, it has profound effects on vision, eye health, and overall health, leading to vision loss, ocular pain, decreased quality of life, and even severe depression. Inflammation is a leading driver of dry eyes.

Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children who present with nearsightedness. It was once thought to be a simple vision error that could be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery such as LASIK. However, new studies bring attention to the growing evidence that myopia can increase one's risk of many of the conditions listed above, including cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment6.

Eye diseases occur due to a combination of genetics, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This means that you can employ lifestyle factors that reduce your chance of the conditions above. Here are a few I recommend adding to your routine:

According to the American Optometric Association, eye exams should begin as early as 6 months of age. The pediatric population should get exams to monitor potential refractive error (with myopia being on the rise), binocular vision development, and the presence of any congenital eye disease. After a child starts school at about age 6, eye exams should be done annually unless sooner warranted.

If you're planning to spend more than 15 to 30 minutes outside, I recommend wearing sunglasses. And always avoid directly staring at the sun.

And with the amount of time we spend on digital devices, I believe it would behoove us to wear blue-light-blocking glasses to protect the health of our eyes and relieve any potential eye strain8.

Eating a gut-health-friendly diet can also help reduce your risk of ocular conditions, as the body has a gut-eye axis. As Hippocrates said, all disease begins in the gut!

As healthy as your diet may be, nutritional gaps can still exist. This is where supplementation is helpful. Supplements are important for protecting against and preventing further progression of many ocular diseases. Several eye vitamins have been shown to have a protective role, such as:

RELATED READ: The 10 Best Eye Supplements For Vision Performance & Longevity*

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of exercise on eye health. Physical activity has been shown19 to protect against glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. As for how exercise protects the eyes, several mechanisms19 have been proposed. Ready to get a little nerdy? Here are a few:

The importance of sleep for overall health is not surprising. The eyes are no exception8! Many of the restorative and detoxifying mechanisms that happen as we sleep are essential for eye health, as well. Sleep conditions like sleep apnea also increase one's risk of glaucoma.

These ingredients can irritate the ocular surface and contribute to dry eyes, contact lens intolerance, and makeup sensitivity. According to the latest research, a few to avoid include parabens, phthalates, perfumes, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). See this report for a complete list22.

Although some common ocular conditions have genetic predispositions, most are driven by lifestyle factors. Implementing this simple eye health checklist can have meaningful effects not only on your eye health but also on your overall health. Remember, the body is an intricately connected and integrated ecosystem that works in unison, not in isolation. And creating a healthy ecosystem within will help you better see the world around you.