Everyone is at risk of getting an eye problem as injuring or getting a disease that can obstruct your vision can happen to people of all ages. However, some eye problems tend to be more common in seniors like cataracts, glaucoma, and AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
Other health conditions common amongst seniors like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease can also result in problems with your vision. Taking care of your eyesight as a senior, though, can help you avoid or slow down the effects of age-related eye problems.
Address low vision symptoms
Having low vision means your vision is becoming less effective and makes it hard for you to do everyday tasks. Low vision is not related to the aging process as it is usually caused by injuries and certain eye diseases or a combination of both.
Low vision is identified with symptoms like a loss of peripheral vision that makes seeing things at your side difficult, blurred vision, and difficulty seeing at night. Eyeglasses/contact lenses are often prescribed for low vision and usually, Medicare covers these for cataract patients only. Russell Noga, CEO of Medisupps, can advise you in detail on Medicare supplement plans 2021.
Protect your eyes from injury
Almost half of all eye injuries happen to someone inside or around his/her home and is more likely to happen during house renovation projects. To reduce the chances of eye injury, use protective eyewear whenever renovations are taking place. Experts suggest that households must have a minimum of one pair of certified safety glasses.
Senior years come with changes in balance and eyesight capabilities and that is why besides having safety glasses, eliminating objects that are trip hazards is important. Getting larger, slip-proof mats and rugs can prevent you from falling and hurting your eyes. Investing in brighter lighting and secure stair railings will help too.
Be active
Over the past decade, many studies have found that regular exercise reduces the risk of getting common eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma wet macular degeneration. Cardiovascular exercises like jogging are said to decrease intraocular pressure (pressure levels inside the eye). They also increase blood flow to your retina and optic nerves.
To benefit from the rewards that cardio exercises have for your eyesight, you don’t have to put in a lot of time and effort. Brisk walking or running four times per week for 25 minutes around your neighborhood can increase your heart rate by almost 25%.
Eye health vitamins and nutrients
Many researchers and the AOA (American Optometric Association) have found that foods rich in certain nutrients and vitamins improve eye health. One of these nutrients is zeaxanthin and lutein. These phytochemicals have proven to reduce the risk of getting age-related eye problems like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Besides its being good for your skin, research has also found that vitamin E can protect the cells in your eyes from damaging molecules called free-radicals. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (docosahexaenoic) will also fuel your eye cells and help them develop and maintain proper function.
Get enough sleep
Functioning nowadays has become extra hard for eyes as they almost constantly need to focus when we are working on our computers, reading on our phone, or driving. Living in spaces with air-conditioned air can also be abrasive to our eyes and that is why we need to help them recover with sufficient rest.
Allowing your eyes more than seven hours of sleep a night can also help you avoid getting dry eyes during the day and burst blood vessels. If sleeping doesn’t come easy for you, try taking a hot bath and avoid phone/computer screens before bed.