I Can See Now

I Can See Now
Recently, I went to see Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Great Gatsby. I re-read the book to reacquaint myself with the storyline and characters, but the irony of needing 3-D glasses to appreciate the visual splendor was fascinating. And to be honest, it was a little confusing: Do I wear the 3D glasses over my actual glasses? Or do I put the reading glasses in front of the 3D glasses?

(Spoiler Alert)

I was fascinated by not only the decadence and opulence of Daisy/Tom Buchanan’s old money and Jay Gatsby’s questionable nouveau riche (new money) but also a billboard that appeared in the Valley of Ashes, the dreaded dismal area between West Egg and New York City.

Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. Now, there is probably another symbolic meaning of those big eyes looking down, but those eyes reminded me that as I approached middle age, the eyes were the first age-related change for me.

Is it possible to age-proof our eyes? Anyone over 40 knows it becomes increasingly difficult to focus on near objects. I fought it for a long time, but the dreaded reading glasses—bifocals—became part of my wardrobe, just like anyone over 40 who already wears corrective lenses.

However, it doesn’t have to be downhill from here. Last week, I talked about the importance of eating a leafy green vegetable, specifically in All Hail Kale. I want to remind you that kale provides excellent nutrients for the health of one’s eyes, like lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids help prevent UV rays from damaging the eyes and causing cataracts.

Those large looming eyes on the billboard are an excellent opportunity to remind you of vital eye health statistics.

Two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occur in women
Three-quarters of visual impairment is estimated to be preventable or correctable
One-third of age-related macular disease and cataracts may be due to smoking
Four-fifths of blindness and visual impairment occur in developing countries

Globally, 37 million people are blind, and 124 million are visually impaired.

USA:  1 million are legally blind, 700,000 of whom are women. Similarly, 3.4 million people are visually impaired; 2.3 million of these are women.

Women live longer than men, and many eye problems are age-related. Ome eye diseases are common in women; dry eye syndrome is 2-3 times more prevalent. Women are at higher risk of autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, that may affect the eye.
Social or economic factors may limit women’s access to eye health care. Seek out programs or agencies in your area that offer free services to aid in eye health.

We talked in earlier posts about the importance of protecting your skin from UV rays,
“A Lineage from Grace”  listed below are six ways to protect your eyes this summer:

1. Shield your eyes. Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brim hat to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays may help delay cataracts and reduce the risk of AMD (age-related muscular degeneration).
2. Eat right. A healthy diet with green leafy vegetables, fish, fruit, and other antioxidants may help protect against age-related eye diseases.
3. Watch your weight. Obesity has been linked to the progression of AMD and increased risk of cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
4. Exercise. Regular physical activity may reduce the risk of developing AMD, lower eye pressure linked with glaucoma, and reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
5. Control blood pressure (see “Silent but Deadly” post), blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

6. don’t smoke or drink too much. Smoking is associated with all four eye disorders, and too much alcohol is known to increase the risk of cataracts.

Just a reminder that my goal is to bring about awareness for women as we age. Three-quarters of blindness and vision impairment can be prevented or treated. Women can help themselves and their families to lower the risk of eye disease (as well as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke) by practicing and encouraging:

Eye exams are performed on the whole family, including your mother and older women’s relatives.

I can see now. What about you?