Clear Vision, Living Independently Top Priorities for Older Americans

Seventy-five percent of aging Americans affected by vision problems; Dr. Tyler Mautino offers tips to protect eyesight throughout life

Fluctuations in vision are often one of the first health changes adults notice as they get older. Although these changes can be bothersome, even more troubling problems could be lurking beneath the surface and cause vision loss. According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2015 American Eye-Q^® survey, the inability to live independently would concern older consumers the most if they developed serious vision problems.  Dr. Mautino offers several tips to help older adults safeguard their vision.

Schedule a yearly eye exam

Comprehensive eye exams by a doctor of optometry are one of the most important, preventive ways to preserve vision, and the only way to accurately assess eye health, diagnose an eye disorder or disease, and determine the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Common eye conditions in older adults that can be detected through a comprehensive eye examination include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and dry eye. The number of adults with these eye conditions will increase as the population of older adults grows—according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 estimates, 72 million Americans are expected to be over the age of 65 by 2030 (compared with 46.2 million Americans in 2014).

“Many eye conditions develop without any warning signs or symptoms, so it’s important to visit a doctor of optometry every year to ensure your eyes are healthy,” said Dr. Mautino. “Early diagnosis and treatment of serious eye diseases and disorders is critical and can often prevent loss of vision.”

Focus on healthy lifestyle choices

Following basic healthy habits can help ward off eye diseases and maintain existing eyesight. One of the essential building blocks of a person’s overall health is diet. Enjoying a diet rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin can improve eye health—these can be found in spinach and other green, leafy vegetables, as well as eggs. Other “power foods” for the eyes include fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C and fish containing Omega 3 essential fatty acids, such as salmon. Also, an optometrist can discuss vitamin therapy options for patients experiencing vision problems and for preventive treatment.

“Not only can a healthy diet improve your eye health, but not smoking, monitoring blood pressure levels, exercising regularly and wearing proper sunglasses to protect eyes from UV rays can all play a role in preserving eyesight and eye health,” said Dr. Mautino.

Adapt to your surroundings and seek help from a doctor of optometry

According to the 2015 American Eye-Q^® survey, 75 percent of Americans age 55 and older have experienced vision problems. It’s especially important for older adults to visit their doctor of optometry to ensure their vision is good to prevent falls and driving accidents.

Older adults can ease the stress on their eyes by making some simple changes:

●     Stay safe while driving: Wear quality sunglasses for daytime driving and use anti-reflective lenses to reduce headlight glare. Limit driving at dusk, dawn or at night if seeing under low light is difficult. Use extra caution at intersections and reduce speed.

●     Use contrasting colors: Define essential objects in your home, such as light switches and telephones, with different colors so they can be spotted quickly and easily.

●     Give the eyes a boost: Install clocks, thermometers and timers with large block letters. Magnifying glasses can also be used for reading when larger print is not available. Text size on the screen of smartphones and tablets can also be increased.

People dealing with eye disease and vision loss can also seek rehabilitative services from a doctor of optometry. These services can teach patients a variety of techniques to allow them to perform daily activities with their remaining vision and help them regain their independence.

Maintaining yearly eye exams, or more frequently if recommended by an eye doctor, provides the best protection for preventing the onset of eye diseases and allows adults to continue leading active and productive lifestyles as they age. To make an appointment with Dr. Mautino for a comprehensive eye exam or for additional information on age-related eye conditions, visit www.eyecarewarren.com or call the office at 814 726 1104.

 

Save Your Vision Month

The 21^st Century Eye: Three Ways to Protect Your Vision

Tips for Save Your Vision Month from Dr. Tyler Mautino

WARREN, PA (3/1/16) – Everywhere we look, we’re reading, shopping, banking or being entertained online on digital devices small and large—at work, at school, at play and on our way in-between. In fact, according to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q^® survey, 55 percent of adults use computers, smartphones, tablets or other handheld devices for five or more hours a day. And a separate AOA survey showed that 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 use an electronic device for more than three hours a day. Digital use will continue to increase, making it more important than ever for consumers to make smart eye care choices and to see an eye doctor for yearly comprehensive eye exams.

Below are three tips from Dr. Mautino in observance of AOA’s Save Your Vision Month in March.

Give Your Eyes a Break

Dr. Mautino recommends following the 20-20-20 rule to ward off digital eye strain–take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.

“Although ongoing technology use doesn’t permanently damage vision, regular, lengthy use of technology may lead to a temporary condition called digital eye strain,” said Dr. Mautino. “Symptoms can include burning or tired eyes, headaches, fatigue, loss of focus, blurred vision, double vision or head and neck pain.”

Early research has also shown that overexposure to high-energy, short-wavelength blue and violet light emitted from electronic devices may contribute to digital eye strain. Blue light could also increase the likelihood of developing serious eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. Optometrists offer lens options including non-glare, filtering lenses, to help protect vision from harmful blue light.

Be a Savvy Shopper

Shopping online can be great for some products that aren’t individually custom-made like prescription eyeglasses are; health and safety trump convenience when it comes to eyewear. Internet orders often result in incorrect prescriptions or other problems with products that get sent through the mail, costing consumers more time and money in the long run. According to a 2011 study conducted by the AOA, the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council, nearly half of all glasses ordered online had either prescription errors or failed to meet minimum safety standards.

“Eyeglasses are an investment in your health and must be custom-fitted not only to be comfortable, but also to be sure precise prescription needs are met so that you’re actually seeing your best,” said Dr. Mautino.

Skip Shortcuts

When it comes to really seeing what’s going on with your eyes, there is no substitute for a comprehensive, yearly eye exam by an eye doctor. Despite catchy claims, there is truly no ‘app’ for that. While a variety of new mobile applications claim to evaluate vision or the fit of eyeglasses, often these apps give inaccurate or misleading information, and misinformed consumers end up delaying essential, sight-saving exams. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical and can often prevent a total loss of vision and improve quality of life. 

“Comprehensive, yearly eye exams are one of the most important, preventive ways to preserve vision, and the only way to accurately assess eye health, diagnose an eye disorder or disease, and determine if you need corrective lenses,” said Dr. Mautino.

To make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Mautino, or for additional information on eye health in the 21^st century, please visit our website eyecarewarren.com, or call us at (814) 726 1104.

About the American Eye-Q® survey:

The ninth annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB).  From March 20-25, 2014, PSB conducted 1,000 online

interviews among Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. general population. (Margin of error is plus or minus 3.10 percentage points at a 95% confidence level)

About the Children’s Omnibus survey:

The children’s Omnibus survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB).  From March 24-31, 2014, PSB conducted 200 online interviews from March 24-31, 2014 with children ages 10 to 17. (Margin of error is plus or minus 6.93 percentage points at a 95% confidence level)

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association, a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations, was founded in 1898. Today, the AOA is proud to represent the profession of optometry, America’s family eye doctors, who take a leading role in an individual’s overall eye and vision care, health and well-being. Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders, diseases and injuries that affect the eye and visual system, providing two-thirds of primary eye care in the U.S. For information on a variety of eye health and vision topics, and to find an optometrist near you, visit aoa.org.