It’s National Eye Exam Month. We often talk about ways to celebrate odd holidays. But there’s an obvious way to mark this occasion. You have a whole month to go get an eye exam. It’s great to have an annual reminder of this important health test.
Deteriorating vision can be an early sign of many health concerns, including blood sugar concerns. When caught early, vision loss caused by blood sugar concerns is treatable. Similarly, cataracts can be treated, but if left to worsen, they can result in vision loss.
Many age-related vision problems are preventable or treatable with intervention. Loss of sight can cause falls, reduced mobility and social isolation. Staying on top of your vision health is essential for healthy aging.
“We now know that untreated vision loss can increase the risk of dementia and falls in later life. With good eye health, people can live independently for longer, remain socially connected, and reduce their risk of injury as they age,” said Prof. Lisa Keay, a leading researcher in vision and eye health at the Univ. of New South Wales. “Eye care must be embedded into routine health checks. By detecting and treating vision issues early, we can prevent avoidable disability and potentially enhance productivity in aging societies across the world.”
Research has found that declining senses play a large role in mental health. The Univ. of Chicago Medicine looked at the sensory function of almost 4,000 older adults collected over 10 years. People with multiple impaired senses were more likely to struggle with loneliness and self-reported poorer mental health overall. When the researchers analysed the senses, they found that sight played the largest role in mental health. Vision issues were most strongly linked to loneliness and poor self-rated mental health.
Loss of smell had the lowest impact on mental health. Researchers pointed out that it is the least social stigma attached to it. There are no ageist stereotypes about olfactory problems like there are about losing hearing or vision degeneration. The stigma can make the loss feel even more demoralizing.
However, worrying about stigma shouldn’t stop you from getting the treatment you need! There are many forms of treatment. When it comes to vision health, regular checks can help you stay healthy, get the proper care you need and see the world more clearly. Your whole world improves when you can see it. Being able to interact with the world is best. So, don’t dither, make your eye test appointment today!
