Remember this popular question from slumber parties: “If you had to choose one of your senses to give up, which would it be?” It turns out pre-teens aren’t the only ones asking: In a 2007 survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA), nearly half of respondents said sight was their most valued sense—the one they would least want to lose. Yet the same survey also found that most people aren’t taking the important steps to prevent vision loss. And all it takes is a little common sense.


If you do nothing else, schedule an eye exam to get screened for common sight-robbing eye diseases. “Getting your eyes examined regularly is like mammography,” says J. Alberto Martinez, MD, an ophthalmologist practicing in Bethesda, MD. “Both catch serious problems early, when they are more treatable and maybe before the patient is even aware there’s a problem.”

Eye exams can be performed by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Optometrists, or doctors of optometry (ODs), provide primary care for the eye. Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in the medical and surgical care of the eyes. “We [optometrists] don’t do surgery—that’s the difference,” explains Pamela A. Lowe, OD, FAAO, a spokesperson for the AOA with an optometry practice in Niles, IL. “But we do all the pre- and post-op care.”

The AOA recommends that adults get an eye exam at least every 2 years. But contact lens wearers should see their specialist at least annually to ensure the safety of the lenses, says Andrea Thau, OD, an AOA spokesperson based in New York City. She also recommends annual eye exams after age 40 because of increased risks of eye problems as you age.

Not all eye exams are alike, as each state sets their own standards, but they should generally include a vision check (that famous eye chart projected on the wall) plus a test of how well your eyes work together, and screenings for eye health. Included in any comprehensive eye exam, a glaucoma test can take several different forms. “We measure intraocular pressure. One way of doing this is with the puff of air,” Dr. Thau says. “We can also dilate the eye and look at the back of the eye. Either method tests for glaucoma.” Dr. Lowe stresses it’s important, especially for adults, to get that test. In addition to screening for glaucoma, “we also look for cataracts, macular degeneration and a whole host of possible problems with the retina,” Dr. Thau says.

Several common diseases and conditions can reduce or eliminate your vision. Glaucoma affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older, and as many as 120,000 of them are blind. Glaucoma occurs when increased pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve. “You only become aware of decreased vision when 80% of the nerve has been damaged, and this is irreversible,” Dr. Martinez warns.

Glaucoma runs in families. Other risk factors include getting older (incidence increases after 40), smoking and African-American heritage. “If you’re African-American, or if you have relatives with glaucoma, you must get checked as early as possible,” Dr. Martinez says. And James J. Salz, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southern California, adds, “If you’re in your 40s, even if you haven’t experienced vision changes, definitely get a baseline test. Without any symptoms at all, we can get early detection and prescribe treatment with medicine and surgery to control glaucoma.”

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It’s associated with aging, smoking, sun exposure, light eye color and family history. “We can see early aging signs in the eyes before the patient even notices a change in vision,” Dr. Salz says. A new test, called the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) test, measures pigment loss. Dr. Lowe recommends this test for any white woman 21 or older because white women’s lighter eye pigment provides less protection against harmful UV rays. Cataracts are cloudy or opaque areas that form on the eye’s lens, causing blurriness or glare. “This is not worrisome because cataracts are so easy to fix,” Dr. Martinez says. “The success rate of cataract surgery is nearly 100%.”

It’s a fact of life: No matter how sharp your vision, sometime in your 40s—maybe earlier—you’ll start to have trouble focusing close up. “This is called presbyopia, and it’s the normal aging of the lens of the eye,” Dr. Martinez says. Presbyopia occurs when the proteins in the lens of eye start to harden and become inflexible.

When this happens, it’s time to schedule an eye appointment. “We encourage people to get an eye exam rather than buy reading glasses at the drugstore,” Dr. Salz says. “Even though those glasses will work, there’s danger in not getting an eye exam. Risks for common eye disease start to increase at that age.” When your eyes are not focusing properly, it’s best to work with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to find the best correction for you. “Each person has specific needs—whether they do a lot of reading, work with a computer, play a musical instrument—and they need an appropriate solution,” Dr. Thau says. You’re likely to find that your first attempt to correct your vision may not be ideal. If that’s the case, Dr. Thau says, “You should go back to your doctor and try again.”


Experts agree on these eye-healthy habits:
1. Get a regular eye exam to ensure that any signs of disease are caught early.
2. Wear sunglasses. Sun exposure is the prime cause of many eye diseases. Make sure your sunglasses carry certified protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. “Cheap sunglasses don’t have this,” Dr. Martinez says.
3. Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids promotes healthy eyes. This includes dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, berries—especially blueberries—and fatty fish including salmon and cod. “The more color your diet has, the better it is for your eyes,” Dr. Martinez says.

Focus on these preventative measures, and you’ll greatly increase your odds of seeing clearly in the future. See, that was simple.


For the most part, gender has no impact on eye health. However, there is one concern specific to women in and after menopause: a condition known as dry eye. “A lot of [dry eye] has to do with time and hormone changes,” Dr. Lowe says. Dr. Martinez explains that this can happen at any age, but as soon as you hit menopause, you stop producing tears as well. “You’ll experience hot, burning or itching eyes and can take over-the-counter artificial tears,” he says. “If you use these tears more than four times a day, be aware that the preservatives in them can actually irritate the eye. If you need to use artificial tears more than four times a day, it’s best to use the little vials that do not contain preservatives. And at that point, it’s time to see the eye doctor. There are prescriptions and treatments for severe dry eye.”