Everyone is worried about their health nowadays, and when it comes to vision, it is no different. In every walk of life, vision is important and keeps them in peak physical condition to avoid any issues. People take their vision for granted and are often so reliant on seeing nowadays that even the slightest problem could have terrible knock-on effects on their daily lives, which is why keeping them healthy is more important than ever.

Facts and figures

Some form of vision loss or deterioration is expected as people get older, and quite often, it is just seen as one of those facts of life. It is far more common than you would expect, though as approximately 12 million people in America have some kind of visual impairment, with roughly 1 million estimated to have blindness, while it is considered one of the most common disabilities amongst adults the age of 18. With figures like this, it is no wonder that there is such a focus on eye wellness and nutrition, as sight loss in America has had an economic impact of at least $145 million. These figures are even more staggering when you think that this is just for people from the age of 40, showing that as you age, your vision is more likely to begin to deteriorate

Early detection and treatment have been effective ways of treating diabetic retinopathy, while it is believed that up to 75% of vision loss is treatable and even preventable. This should be heartening to many people as it shows that even if you have real concerns about your health, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. It’s just a matter of asking for help.

Prevention

Sometimes it is important to take steps to prevent the long-term effects of some of these health problems to give people a greater chance of retaining their sight. The most common cause of sight-related problems is cataracts, with over 24.4 million Americans believed to have this affliction. Often the only way to effectively deal with cataracts is to undergo surgery, so by taking careful steps to improve your diet and lifestyle, it might be possible to prevent them from forming.

More than 3.6 million cataract surgeries are performed every year, with sufferers’ figures predicted to increase to almost 50 million by the end of 2022. By changing your diet and eating more nutritious meals, such as leafy vegetables (spinach and kale) and eggs containing Lutein and Zeaxanthin, two minerals that help prevent the formation of cataracts, as well as slowing the effects of age-related macular degeneration. By adapting your diet accordingly, you can ensure that your body and, more importantly, eyes are well looked after to limit any potential damage. Not all vision issues are preventable as some are genetic, so they are much harder to control, but in the cases where it is lifestyle-related, taking precautions is well within reach, empowering you to do something about it before it is too late.