How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Age

You take good care of your body and mind, but don’t forget your eyes! 

The older we get the more our doctors tell us to take care of our bodies with a healthy diet and lifestyle. In the much the same way, we must also keep an eye on our eyes. 

You may be thinking this message isn’t for you because “my eyes aren’t that bad” or “I don’t even wear contacts or glasses.” Whether you wear prescription eyewear or not, you should take a proactive approach, so you can maintain healthy eyes as you get older.

Keeping Your Eyes in Check

The following tips may seem obvious, but they’re absolutely essential to maintaining healthy eyes. Make sure you have your bases covered here first.

• Get Regular Eye Exams. Adults over the age of 40 should get yearly eye exams in order to identify age related eye diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. Preventative eye care is critical for spotting problems early. 
• Replace Your Contact Lens Case. You often do you change your contacts case? Contact lens cases get dirty, like contacts, and can develop bacteria. Make sure to clean and replace your contact case every two to three weeks.
• Avoid UV Rays. This could be one of the oldest tips in the book! When you’re exposed to sunlight (no matter if it’s summer or winter) make sure to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with the best UV protection. 

Healthy Habits for Aging Eyes

These following five tips may not be as obvious as the last four. But they are just as important. By adhering to these healthy habits, you can help slow the aging process for your eyes. 

• Eat Healthy. When you eat healthy, your eyes are healthy! Foods that are high in omega three fatty acids or rich in Vitamins C and E can help maintain your eyesight. Some great food examples include vegetables, fish, eggs, nuts, and fruits. 
• Quit Smoking. Smoking is the cause of many health issues, including problems with your eyes. Smoking can increase your chances of developing cataracts or optical nerve damage. By giving up smoking, you can decrease your chances of developing these eye problems.
• Sleep. One of the easiest ways to maintain eye health is by getting enough sleep. Maintaining a healthy sleeping pattern contributes to our general well being, but it also helps keep our eyes from straining.
• Avoid Heat Irritation. The heating systems in our homes and workplaces may cause eye irritation due to dryness. If this is the case, a humidifier can add some much needed moisture to the air.
• Take a Computer Break. If you work in front of a computer screen all day, take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest. Try to take a break every twenty minutes, and stare away from the computer screen to avoid irritation and eyestrain. You may also want to look into computer glasses.

The Time To Act Is Now

It’s never too early to take care of your eyes. Healthy habits and regular eye exams can help you maintain your vision now and as you age. 

Make an appointment with your eye doctor today, or find a Vision Source doctor near you.