Dry eye syndrome is a very common ailment as we age. Because my eyes frequently feel dry, I find myself putting drops in my eyes several times each day and right before bedtime. Medications such as diuretics, antihistamines, anticholinergics, phenothiazines, antidepressants, hormones, and radiation can exacerbate dry eye symptoms, but they may also be caused by smoking or exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and dry air. And, as we age, we cry less, thus producing fewer tears which naturally lubricate our eyes.In order to retain good eye health, we need to maintain a healthy diet and take vitamins which include Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and Lutein. Staring at a computer or a smartphone causes stress in eye muscles. Bausch.com recommends that you keep your monitor about two feet from your eyes and the top of your monitor screen slightly below eye level -- and blink often! An opthalmologist told me when I was a teenager that I should always wear sunglasses that block UV rays when outside because my eyes are light in color. In addition to sunglasses, we should also wear wide brimmed hats when outdoors to reduce UV radiation.
The National Glaucoma Research division of the American Health Assistance Foundation lists several glaucoma risk factors and prevention measures to lower glaucoma risk here: http://www.ahaf.org/glaucoma/about/risk.html. The Mayo Clinic lists risk factors for cataracts: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cataracts/DS00050/DSECTION=risk-factors, as well as symptoms of macular degeneration:
So, in order to have good eyesight as we mature, it is important for us to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, get adequate sleep, take multivitamins, stop smoking, and have a thorough eye exam each year. Looking into our eyes may reflect our overall health because, according to writer Alfred Thigpen, our eyes may truly be a "window to the soul." http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/07/health/eyes-are-a-window-to-the-soul-and-the-colon-too/. ♥
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