5 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Eyes as You Grow Older

Sep 19

Our bodies change as we age and our eyes are no exception. While some of these changes are a natural part of getting older, understanding how your eyes change is crucial for safeguarding your eye health.

Here are some common changes you might encounter as your vision evolves:

Difficulty seeing up close. (Presbyopia)
Distinguishing between colors may be more challenging (ex. blue v. black). (Decreased Contrast Sensitivity)
Take more time for your eyes to adjust to light. (Photosenitivity)
Be at an increased risk for diseases and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, or dry eye.

To keep your eyes healthy as you grow older, consider these practical tips:

Maintain a Healthy Diet: Studies have shown that eating a nutrient-rich diet may help prevent the progression of some conditions like macular degeneration. Try integrating food rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts, and spinach. Antioxidant-dense foods like citrus fruits and dark leafy greens are also a great source of nutrients for your eyes. 5-7 servings per week of foods high in Lutein, like spinach or kale. If you are not a fan of spinach or kale, then think about adding a supplement with 20mg of Lutein and 2mg of Zeaxanthin.
Protect Yourself from UV Radiation: Wearing sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats to protect your eyes from UV radiation when outside, prevents damage to the eyes’ tissue, cornea, and lens.
Maintain Good Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can cause retinal, blood vessel, and optic nerve damage within the eye.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking increases your risk for cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye. Smokers have a 3.5 times higher risk of macular degeneration than non-smokers.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Prescription lenses, medicine, and/or outpatient procedures can treat many eye conditions; however, the best way to catch problems early and limit the impact of age-related vision loss is to schedule an annual eye exam to keep your eye health in check. We cannot help save your vision or your life if you don’t come see an eye doctor.

Understanding these shifts empowers us to take charge of our eye health. By recognizing common age-related changes and adopting simple yet effective habits, we can ensure that our eyes continue to serve us well as we age.

If you experience any of the symptoms below, be sure to contact your eye doctor immediately to the get medical assistance: