Droopy upper eyelids that occur with age affect both eyes. Your eyelids themselves don’t really droop. The skin above your eyelids gets loose and droops over your lids. As you age your skin loses fat and elasticity, becoming thin and saggy. Because the skin of your eyelids is some of … Read More
Not all fats are created equal: Saturated vs unsaturated. Essential vs unessential. Healthy vs unhealthy. The hard part is knowing which fats are good for you and which you should avoid. Along those lines, let's compare omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids, with an eye toward balance. Both omega-6 … Read More
The statistics might surprise you: 1 in 4 people aged 65 and older experience at least one fall each year. It’s thought that around 1 in 5 of these falls results in a serious injury, such as a fracture or head injury. Simple fall prevention tactics, however, can significantly reduce … Read More
Light sensitivity or photophobia is eye discomfort in bright light. Bothersome light sources may include sunlight and harsh indoor lighting such as fluorescent or incandescent light from old-fashioned bulbs. Light sensitivity is a common symptom that may be accompanied by headache. In most cases, it’s not due to disease. However, … Read More
Glaucoma is an eye disease where excess pressure irreparably damages the eye, causing blindness. Because glaucoma symptoms don’t manifest until the disease is very advanced, the disease is a sneaky vision thief. Yet fewer than 10 percent of Americans surveyed know that glaucoma has no warning signs, according to the … Read More
You already know that keeping your cholesterol in check is important for heart health. High cholesterol is associated with clogged arteries and a greater chance of a heart attack. But you may be wondering: What exactly is a normal cholesterol level, and how do I get there? And you’re probably … Read More
Blurry vision is a classic “nonspecific” symptom that people report to their doctors—like “I feel tired all the time.” Whether it’s blurry seeing or feeling fatigued, the possible reasons are many and occasionally unusual, from poisoning to concussion. Regardless of cause, however, most people just want to know, "Why is … Read More
The eye is a complex organ and a lot can go wrong. Age-related eye conditions—macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy—can permanently damage vision and even lead to blindness. They collectively account for most serious vision loss and blindness in older adults. But many common eye diseases and conditions can … Read More
Seeing your primary care provider on at least an annual basis allows him or her to help keep tabs on your overall physical health. If you have chronic medical problems, however, the visits with your provider can sometimes be dominated by focusing on the management of those problems. It's important … Read More
Computers, televisions, tablets, smart phones, and e-readers have become irreplaceable parts of almost everyone’s daily life, but studies indicate that overexposure to the liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on these devices can cause a number of eye problems. If you experience any of the following, it may be due to … Read More
