– by Dr. Paul Neumann, Central Saanich Optometry –
I’ll never forget the look on my patient’s face when I told him the vision trouble he was experiencing was irreversible, and that due to his increasing blindness, he’d be forced to give up his driver’s license and much of his independence. Worst was the fact that his condition could have been prevented.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time I’d seen that look – the look of regret when you find out something painful could have been avoided with proactivity. An estimated 135,000 B.C. residents and a million Canadians suffer from vision loss or blindness – more than the combined total of Canadians with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
While I can’t do anything to restore vision loss, I have made it my mission to educate my patients on their eyecare, and how they can take charge of their eye health.
Vision loss in Canada:
• Vision loss affects people of all ages, although the risk of eye disease increases with age;
• 23,000 Canadians under age 15 suffer from vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses;
• Vision loss is commonly caused by glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, but the leading cause is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects over a million Canadians, 100,000 of whom experience partial sight or blindness.
7 Ways to Prevent Vision Loss
With proper care and regular visits to your optometrist, 75% of vision loss can be prevented, or treated if caught soon enough. Easy lifestyle changes will also help keep blindness at bay.
1. Wear Sunglasses. More than offering comfort from bright rays – or looking cool – sunglasses protect eyes from sunburn and help prevent cataracts, AMD, growths, and vision loss. They don’t have to be super fancy lenses, but do check that they’re UV-protective and the right lens colour for your eyes.
2. Get to know your Vitamins. Nutrients that increase eye health include vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, zeaxanthin, selenium, lutein, calcium and Omega-3. You can get a lot of these through a healthy diet, but most of us need some supplementation. Your optometrist will be able to tell you if your eyes need special eye vitamins.
3. Quit Smoking. Yet another reason to ditch your cigarettes is to decrease your odds of vision loss. Now go toss that pack, and let it be your last!
4. Exercise Regularly. Exercise can regulate blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and help prevent glaucoma and AMD. What’s good for the body is generally good for your eyes.
5. Control Your Diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, cataracts and glaucoma. Regular eye and medical exams are essential.
6. Eat Lots of Dark, Leafy Greens. Salad greens are bursting with lutein, zeaxanthin and antioxidants that help prevent cataracts and glaucoma. Bring on the kale!
7. Visit your Optometrist. Even if you judge your vision as 20/20, regular eye exams are paramount to catching diseases early.
Many forms of vision loss are symptom-free in the early stages, which makes it my responsibility to take initiative with your eyes. Simple “prescription checks” don’t guarantee healthy vision, which is why I insist on regular comprehensive exams for my patients. 20/20 vision is great but 20/happy is better! If it’s been over two years since you’ve had your eyes checked, call your optometrist today to book an appointment for happy eyes!
For more information call 250.544.2210.
