Colonoscopy? Check.  Mammogram? Check.  Eye exam?  Oh, I think a blew that off the last time I needed contacts.  But after 40, there are three reasons why that is SUCH a bad idea – 1) You have four times the risk of developing eye disease after 40, even more so as a woman. 2) Eye diseases don’t usually hurt, they just creep up on you unless detected by a professional screening. 3) Early intervention is very successful with most eye diseases.  African-Americans and those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease are especially at risk.  Though most of us think these things happen to a few older folks, 43 million Americans will develop age-related eye diseases by 2020.  Be proactive because cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, glaucoma, and ARMD are no joke and can seriously affect your quality of life.  For ARMD (age-related macular degeneration), lots of leafy green vegetables with lutein are very successful in slowing disease progression.