A 2006 American Optometric Association survey found that more people fear losing their eyesight than losing their memory or ability to walk. “I’ve heard many patients say ‘If I had to lose one of my senses, eyesight would be the last one I would pick,’” says Steven Hepokoski, OD, Park Nicollet Clinic—St. Louis Park. “The good news is that if people take care of their health and their eyes, there’s no reason they won’t be seeing well into old age.”

Preserving vision begins with routine eye exams starting at an early age. Common vision problems, such as amblyopia or lazy eye, can occur early in life. Other conditions, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, often do not surface until later in life.

Focus: the early years
Age 3 to 4 is a good time to initiate routine eye exams, because children are likely starting to learn to read. “This is a good time to have children visit an eye doctor to make sure vision problems are not interfering with early reading development,” Dr. Hepokoski says, adding that children are not often able to articulate whether they are having vision problems. “Some kids just think the world looks blurry,” Dr. Hepokoski observes.

While schools often provide vision screening for their students, Dr. Hepokoski suggests that school-aged children also get a regular eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who will test near and far vision, eye tracking, alignment and stereovision. An eye clinician also may dilate a child’s pupils for the eye test. He recommends an ophthalmic exam every two years for school-aged children.

Eye health through the ages
Aging is inevitable, but certain eye conditions don’t have to be. The same routine visit rule that applies to children should continue into adulthood. “We want people to understand that, even if it seems like they are seeing well, they still should have a periodic eye exam to check for underlying problems, such as glaucoma.”

Between eye exams, people can make lifestyle choices to preserve eyesight. “A lot of exciting studies are being done on protecting eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays,” says Dr. Hepokoski, who recommends wearing sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection to help prevent cataracts, benign growths on the eye’s surface; cancer of the eyelids or skin around the eyes; and photokeratisis, a temporary, painful sunburn of the eye’s surface. To find eyewear with the highest level of UV protection, visit the Optical Store@Park Nicollet.

Recent studies have found that the risk of macular degeneration, one of the more serious and debilitating eye conditions, also may be reduced with eye protection and proper nutrition. “We used to assume that macular degeneration was an inevitable part of aging; if your grandparents or your parents had it, you probably would, too,” Dr. Hepokoski says. “But we’re learning there are things you can do to reduce risks. Eat your fruits and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.” To get the most vision-saving benefit, choose the dark-colored fruits and vegetables — blueberries, spinach, red peppers, pumpkins, squash and carrots — because they are likely to contain pigments such as lutein. Over-the-counter lutein and other multivitamin supplements also are recommended.

Many ways to keep vision clear and eyes healthy exist. Routine exams by a trusted, trained clinician, adequate eye protection and an effort to maintain a vision-healthy diet are all simple ways to preserve one of your most precious possessions: your sight.

To schedule your eye exam, call Park Nicollet at 952-993-3150.