Vision is one of the most important functions of the human body. Natural aging of a person leads to a deterioration of this function, which is a normal process. However, with age, not only the natural deterioration of the quality of vision occurs, but often also the development of serious eye pathologies that can lead to blindness. What factors provoke these pathologies, is it possible to slow down the aging process and protect the eyes from diseases? MedAboutMe will tell about it.

External causes of premature eye aging

Throughout our lives, our eyes are exposed to a multitude of irritating factors provoking accelerated aging of the organ of vision: bright light, dust, drafts, overdried air, etc. The most harmful of them is ultraviolet radiation. Penetrating into the depths of the eye, it can cause various troubles, from corneal inflammation (keratitis) to malignant neoplasm (melanoma). Therefore, in bright sunlight, it is recommended to wear high-quality sunglasses, not only in the mountains or at the seaside, but also in a city where there are no less than light-reflecting surfaces that dazzle the eyes (windows, shop windows, polished car bodies).

Other sources of bright light, although not as dangerous, also contribute to the accelerated aging of the eyes. First of all, it concerns the screens of computers, TVs, phones, tablets, the radiation of which, if not causing pathologies by itself, then during many hours of work leads to fatigue and overdrying of the eyes due to a decrease in the blink rate. And this, in turn, creates the prerequisites for the development of visual impairment and, over time, can become a breeding ground for diseases. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, experts recommend, if possible, reduce the time spent at the computer and using gadgets, and also not forget about the known preventive measures that reduce the risk of vision deterioration. Such measures are:

• Properly equipped workplace for working at the computer.
• Comfortable for the eyes of the screen lighting, not tiring eyes font size readable or typed text.
• Frequent small (up to 5 minutes) breaks in work, during which it is necessary to move, stretch your neck, look at foreign objects, blink, do gymnastics for the eyes.

Internal factors of visual impairment: age and disease

The most significant cause of visual impairment is still not external factors, but aging, a natural physiological process, accompanied by deterioration of the blood supply and metabolic processes in the tissues of the eye, which entails negative changes in all its structures. Age-related visual impairment (presbyopia) is a normal condition that does not require treatment. For his correction use glasses. However, according to experts, healthy physiological aging in the modern world is becoming less and less common, more and more often it is aggravated by the development of various pathologies (diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis), which provoke serious eye diseases.

Elderly and senile   age   It is considered a major factor in the occurrence of such impairing vision ailments as:

• cataract (clouding of the lens);
• glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve as a result of increased eye pressure);
• age-related macular degeneration (pathology of the macula, or yellow spot – the central part of the retina);
• diabetic retinopathy (retinal vascular disease).

Being in many ways genetically determined pathologies, these diseases can largely be provoked by lifestyle and bad habits. Thus, in the development of macular degeneration, in addition to light, the destructive ability of which is most pronounced in the central zone of the retina, smoking and obesity are considered serious risk factors.

A healthy lifestyle, according to experts, can reduce the likelihood of a disease such as glaucoma, the development of which is associated not only with hereditary factors, but with diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes is also considered to be the culprit of irreversible damage to the retinal vessels, which is the main cause of acquired blindness in developed countries. It is noted that 60% of people with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy within 20 years of the onset of the disease, and 2% of them become visually impaired or blind. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by watching your diet, avoiding overweight and obesity, and giving up a sedentary lifestyle.

Experts believe that no matter what eye disease is discussed, the main obstacle to their occurrence and development is prevention, in which lifestyle, nutrition and timely access to ophthalmologists play the leading role. According to the WHO, there are about 300 million people in the world suffering from severe visual pathologies, of which about 40 million are blind. In most cases, the disease could be prevented.

Food: vitamins for the eyes

It is known that human health depends largely on the quality of its nutrition. Eye health is no exception, especially in old age. Certain vitamins and minerals obtained from food can slow down the aging process of the organ of vision and prevent associated diseases.

• One of the most important for the eyes of vitamins is vitamin A. It is part of the cells of the retina, it provides the correct light perception and the ability to see at night. Vitamin A is found in large quantities in fish oil, butter, eggs, beef liver, cream and whole milk. In carrots, blueberries, sweet peppers, rosehips and other red, orange and dark green fruits, it is contained in the form of provitamin beta-carotene, which in the body is converted to vitamin A.
• Vitamins C (citrus, rosehip, broccoli, sweet peppers, berries) and E (sunflower oil and sunflower seeds, nuts, egg yolk, spinach) enhance the antioxidant effect of beta-carotene, help prevent the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
• B vitamins provide transmission of nerve impulses, improve the condition of blood vessels and blood supply to the eyes. The source of these vitamins are oatmeal, buckwheat, barley, whole-grain bread, meat, fish, dairy products.
• Zinc (meat, seafood, cheese, mushrooms, nuts) and selenium (bran, sunflower seeds, liver, whole grain bread, eggs, cheese) play an important role in maintaining good vision. These minerals, according to research, improve the antioxidant effect of vitamins and can protect your eyes from glaucoma and other age-related pathologies.

In addition to vitamins, lutein and zeaxanthin, substances found in large quantities in the macula, are extremely beneficial to the eyes. They not only provide visual acuity, but also protect the eyes from harmful solar radiation. Products with a high content of these substances include spinach, cabbage, pumpkin, green peas, legumes.

However, not always even full, varied and balanced   nutrition   can provide us with all the necessary health substances. Therefore, people approaching old age, and those whose professional activities are associated with a large load on the eyes, experts advise twice a year to take drugs to improve vision based on vitamin-mineral complexes.

The main requirement for the prevention of eye diseases, in addition to proper nutrition, physical activity, protecting the eyes from ultraviolet radiation and stopping smoking, is a regular visit to an ophthalmologist, especially after 40 years.