Aging can affect our bodies in many ways, but one of the more prominent age-related conditions would be changes to your vision. Although glasses and contact lenses may help alleviate poor vision, it still has the potential to affect your daily lifestyle and level of independence. Although you can’t prevent aging eyes, here are five tips for you or your loved ones to maintain aging eyes.
Regular Eye Checks
It is recommended that you start going for annual eye checks once you turn 40. This will be a good time to check if you require glasses or if you need to change your prescription if you already wear them. In addition to that, have your eye doctor check for any signs of vision problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. However, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, be sure to follow the recommended screening intervals given by the doctor as vision-related problems could start showing signs much earlier than 40.
Eat Healthily
It is no secret that the key to maintaining your health is through eating well. Opt for yellow or orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, corn, and oranges. You shouldn’t shy away from green leafy vegetables either like spinach, as those can help you get the boost of Vitamins A, C, E, and Zinc that are proven to maintain eye health. To help prevent macular degeneration, be sure to include foods such as sweet potatoes and eggs. Don’t miss out on fish either. DHA-rich fish such as cod and wild salmon are great for strengthening the cell membranes in your eyes.
Get Enough Exercise
By exercising regularly, your eyes will benefit as well. Exercise can improve your blood circulation, which is beneficial to the blood vessels in your eyes. Apart from getting your recommended 75-150 minutes of exercise per week, try including some eye exercises into the mix. Your eyes have muscles that need to be strengthened too! To ease weariness early in the morning and before you go to bed, try doing exercises such as circling your eyes and focusing on a distant object.
Protect your Eyes from the Sun
Apart from harming your skin, UV rays can damage aging eyes as well. UV rays can bring about cataracts or even speed up macular degeneration. To prevent damaging your eyes from the sun, consider wearing sunglasses with UV filters. Sunglasses also serve as protection for the delicate skin around your eyes as well.
Reduce Screen Time
With COVID-19 allowing us to shift to more virtual ways of communicating through Zoom and video calls, it is inevitable that we would be staring at a phone, computer, or television screen more than usual. It is thus extremely important to give your eyes regular breaks throughout the day. To help maintain your eye health, try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You may want to consider purchasing a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses as well, as these have filters that block blue light given off by electronic devices.
