As we age we not only develop wrinkles and gray hair but we can also develop vision issues. There are many age-related conditions that can affect your eyes, including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
So, how do we protect our eyes and help prevent eye-related issues? It’s important to know the early signs of eye conditions, make wise lifestyle choices, and visit our eye doctor regularly.
Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. Many seniors may not notice the changes to their vision until the condition is quite advanced. Some of the early signs of potentially serious eye problems include double vision, hazy vision, frequent flashes of light, floaters and difficulty seeing in low light conditions. If you have any of these symptom, be sure to share them with your doctor. The earlier these problems are detected and treated, the more likely you can retain good vision.
Making wise lifestyle choices can help prevent eye conditions that lead to vision loss. Health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes can damage your eyes so it is key to prevent these issues by making healthy lifestyle choices.
A healthy, nutrient-rich diet can help protect vision over the long haul. Studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in foods like spinach, kale and salmon, can reduce individuals’ risk for age-related eye diseases. Research has also shown that antioxidants can possibly reduce the risk of cataracts so be sure to include plenty of fruits and dark green vegetables.
Stay active. Our eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen intake, which regular exercise provides. Exercise also helps keep our weight in the normal range, reducing the risk of sight-stealing diabetes. Taking a 20-30 minute brisk walk 4-5 times a week will do wonders for your mind, body and eyes! If you walk outdoors, be sure to wear a good hat and use protective eyewear made to screen out ultraviolet rays.
Be mindful of screen time. Spending too much time staring at our phones and other devices causes eye strain. Also, exposure to LED lights may contribute to retinal degeneration, so use screen filters or blue light blocking glasses.
By taking these steps, you can help support normal healthy aging of the eyes and may prevent vision loss!
Next weekend we’ll give some tips for those caring for those with eye issues so stay tuned!
We love to educate our neighbors and provide needed resources. For more helpful information visit our recourses page: https://neighborswhocare.com/resources/