The Eyes of a Baby Boomer

Editor’s Note: Joining our network of contributors is Dr. Shoshana Nock, an optometrist in Houston specializing in vision issues of concern to Baby Boomers.

One of the unfortunate side effects of growing older is the weakening of one’s health, since you are more likely to develop health and vision problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration (ARMD), and other conditions. These problems can cause a dramatic reduction and/or loss of vision.

Since, we only get one set of eyes and we use them every day, it is important we look after them. 

Below is a list of ways for us Baby Boomers to prevent losing our vision:

1. ANNUAL DILATED EXAMATIONS: by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
   1. I know we all do NOT like to have our eyes dilated (sensitivity to the sun, inability to read), but without a dilated examination the doctor cannot check for diseases of the retina and optic nerve.
   2. Just because you think you can see well does not mean you do not have an ocular disease.  Most ocular diseases do not affect your vision until it is too late for treatment.
2. ANNUAL PHYSICAL: by your primary care doctor.
   1. Remember, just because you feel fine does NOT mean you don’t have Diabetes and Hypertension.
   2. Also, the more years you are not controlling your Blood Sugar Levels (A1C) and Blood Pressure the more damage it will cause to the health of the eye.
3. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE (if necessary)
   1. DIET
      1. A person with a poor diet is more likely to develop:
         1. Diabetic Retinopathy:  causes bleeding at the back of the eye
         2. Macular Degeneration: causes deterioration of the macula
   2. SMOKING
      1. Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop ARMD
   3. SUN
      1. A person who spends a lot of time in the sun without protective eyewear has a great chance of developing CATARACTS and CANCER of the eye.