Risk Factors for Retinal Diseases
The team at Retina Associates believes in state-of-the-art eye care treatments just as much as we believe in preventative care. We always stress the latter to patients at our Kansas City practice. When warning signs of a retinal condition are present, patients can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of later health issues.
With this in mind, we would like to consider the risk factors for different retinal diseases. By knowing what makes a vision problem more likely, you make be able to adjust your lifestyle and prevent these issues from occurring down the road.
Advanced Age
The aging process puts people at risk for many different health problems and conditions. This includes issues with the retinas and overall retina health. Given the wear and tear of the body of the years, this should come as no surprise. Obviously the risk of retinal disease is higher if any of the below are present in addition to advanced age.
Previous Retinal Tears or Detachment
When you have suffer a retinal tear or retinal detachment in the past, you run a greater risk of future retinal health. This is even if an eye doctor was successful in repairing that previous retinal tear or detachment.
Previous Eye Injuries or Eye Surgeries
As with previous retinal tears, serious eye injuries and more involve eye surgeries can also increase the risk of retina conditions later in life.
Family History of Retinal Conditions
Genetics plays a major role in a whole host of vision issues and wellness problems. If you have relatives who suffer from retinal conditions, you are more likely to experience these issues later in life as well.
The Role of Race and Gender
Since genetic makeup is key in general wellness and eye health, a person's gender and race can also play a role. For instance, women are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than men. On the note of AMD, Caucasians tends to be more likely to the condition than people of other ethnic backgrounds.
Extreme Nearsightedness (Myopia)
People who suffer from extreme myopia tend to be more vulnerable to different vision problems and conditions. This includes retinal tears and retinal detachment.
Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products
Smoking causes a number of problems with regard to your overall health. In addition to increasing your risk for lung disease, heart disease, and cancer, it can also result in increased risk of retinal conditions. This is just another compelling reason to quit smoking for good.
Obesity and Obesity-Related Conditions
People who are obese run the risk of different health problems, which in turn can lead to increased risk of retinal conditions. Obese people are more likely to be diabetic, for instance, which leads to an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. Hypertention (high blood pressure) can increase the risk of macular degeneration and a host of other eye problems. By leading an active lifestyle with a healthy diet, people can reduce weight and prevent many different health problems later in life.
Contact the Team at Retina Associates
For more information about treating and preventing retinal conditions, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced doctors or call (913) 831-7400.