West Chester Eye Doctor Talks Aging’s Effects on the Eyes and How You Can Protect Your Vision

West Chester Eye Doctor Talks Aging’s Effects on the Eyes and How You Can Protect Your Vision

Dr. Bruce I. Stark with Chester County Eye Care Associates discusses common conditions brought on by the natural aging process and what people can do to protect the health of their vision.

West Chester, PA – Many people realize, once they’ve hit a certain age, that their visual acuity is not as it once was. They also experience a greater number of eye conditions and disorders that, if left untreated, can cause serious risks to their vision. “As patients enter their forties, they gradually lose their ability to see up close and will likely need bifocals. Cataracts are also an inevitable part of aging,” says Dr. Bruce I. Stark, a board-certified ophthalmologist with Chester County Eye Care Associates.

In a recent blog entry on the practice’s website titled: “The Effects of Aging on Your Eyes and Vision,” Dr. Stark discusses some of the most common conditions he sees in patients. In addition to cataracts and refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, Dr. Stark says he frequently treats patients affected by glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, flashes and floaters, and dry eye syndrome, among others. However, Dr. Stark says, even though many serious eye conditions are more likely to occur as one ages, there are some things one can do to reduce the chances of developing certain eye diseases.

In a second blog entry, titled “Protecting the Health of Your Eyes and Vision,” Dr. Stark talks about good eating and lifestyle habits that can help. He says some of these habits include: “Good control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar; a diet rich in yellow and green leafy vegetables; sunglasses throughout the year, as well as sunscreen; [and] regular eye examinations since many diseases may have no symptoms until they become advanced.”

Dr. Stark says it’s very imperative that patients are educated on how to maintain healthy eyes. “Many conditions run in families so it is important to know family history. Also, many eye diseases have greater incidence in certain races, and may have gender tendencies as well.”

Ultimately, Dr. Stark says, it’s just a fact that the aging process will affect the eyes and vision of most people in some way. However, he notes, with the many advanced treatment options available, in addition to good lifestyle habits and regular eye exams, many individuals should be able to enjoy the benefits of healthy vision for years and years to come.

About Bruce I. Stark, MD
Dr. Bruce I. Stark is board-certified in ophthalmology and has more than 25 years of experience treating eye disorders and vision problems. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan, and he completed his residency at Wills Eye Hospital in 1982. Dr. Stark offers a range of treatment options at his practice, including LASIK laser vision correction, cataract surgery, and procedures for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and corneal conditions. He is a Member of Cataract and Primary Eye Care Services at Wills Eye Institute and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Stark has also been named a “Top Doc” in Philadelphia Magazine. He is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Dr. Stark and Chester County Eye Care Associates, please visit chestercountyeyecare.com.

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