Most people often focus on taking care of their minds and bodies to remain healthy. But another body part you shouldn’t miss is your pair of eyes.
You use your eyes in everything you do. Whether you’re studying, working, or driving, your pair of eyes help you perform well. More importantly, it keeps you safe from danger, especially when your other body senses are unavailable. However, like the rest of your body, your eyesight or vision is also bound to decline as you age. That’s why people in their 30s or 40s may start to feel the effects of declining eyesight or blurry vision. But just because it’s part of aging doesn’t mean it’s not avoidable.
Thankfully, there are a few things and lifestyle adjustments you can make to help preserve your good vision and protect your eyes from potential health conditions related to aging. For your guide, here are seven ways you can maintain excellent eyesight as you age.
1. Eat Healthily
Good eye health starts with nourishing your eyes from within. Thus, make sure you fill your diet with foods loaded with nutrients good for the eyes, such as vitamins C and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
These nutrients will help reduce your risk of age-related vision problems like cataracts, central vision loss, and macular degeneration. You can acquire these nutrients from foods like:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Citrus fruits or juices
- Tuna, salmon, and other oily fishes
- Prawns and oysters
- Non-meat protein sources like beans, nuts, eggs, etc.
Moreover, eating healthily will also help you maintain a healthy weight, which is essential for your eye health. The less likely you’ll become obese, the less you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes, which can cause blindness in adults.
2. Quit Smoking
It’s not surprising that smoking is bad for your general health, including your eyes. Smoking will only increase your risk of damaging your optic nerve, getting cataracts, macular degeneration, and other severe health conditions.
Your eyes are also exposed to higher levels of oxidative stress when you don’t quit the habit immediately. Thus, try your best to minimize your smoking habit, or better yet, stop it for good. You can seek professional help if you’re struggling to quit smoking on your own.
3. Get Enough Hours Of Sleep
One of the easiest ways to preserve good eyesight is by getting enough hours of sleep. A good night’s sleep is not only good for your brain and body, but it also gives your eyes enough time to rest, improve lubrication, and restore them to their healthier state.
Meanwhile, if you’re always sleep-deprived, you may experience itchy, dry, or bloodshot eyes, eventually putting your eyes at risk for infections. So, keep your eyes healthy and strive to get enough sleep every night.
4. Wear Protective Sunglasses
A fair amount of sun exposure is good for your body, but it could be harmful to your eyes. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays may put you at risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. To shield your eyes from the sun while you’re outdoors, you’re recommended to wear protective sunglasses that feature ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) protection.
If you’re wearing contact lenses, opt for those that offer UV protection. Still, it’s best to wear UV-protected sunglasses for an extra layer of protection. Also, you can wear a hat to protect the sides of your eyes that aren’t fully covered by your sunglasses for optimal protection.
5. Stay Active
Exercise isn’t only good for your physical and mental health; it’ll also help maintain excellent eyesight. Every time you exercise or perform physical activities, it promotes blood circulation in your body and improves oxygen levels in your eyes, which is needed to remove toxins.
Furthermore, according to research, people who are more active or physically inclined have a 50% lower risk of getting glaucoma, an eye condition that causes blindness in senior adults. So, strive to do a few minutes of exercise every day or engage in physical activities to keep your eyes healthy.
6. Let Your Eyes Rest From Your Screens And Devices
Nowadays, people of all ages, even kids, are constantly exposed to screens or devices that emit blue light. Some use their mobile phones, laptops, computers, or tablets for entertainment, while others are forced to use them for hours due to work. Unfortunately, exposing your eyes to these screens for longer periods could cause:
- Blurred vision
- Eyestrain
- Dry eyes
The blue light from these screens could also boost your risk of having macular degeneration during your aging years. To reduce these risks, give your eyes at least 20 to 30 minutes to rest and take a break from these screens or devices.
If you’re working in front of a laptop or computer, set the alarm every 2 hours to remind yourself to get up and take a break. If you feel your eyes are drying up, apply artificial tears or blink more.
Meanwhile, if you’re already experiencing eye strain, it’s best to consult your doctor and let them recommend computer glasses designed for your eyes.
7. Attend Eye Checkups Regularly
Everyone, at any age, should consider having eye checkups regularly. Eye checkups are not only intended for people experiencing eye-related health conditions. Consequently, seeing an eye specialist will also help protect your sight and detect potential problems early on.
Key Takeaway
Although you can’t control your body’s aging process and its effect on your eyes, these tips will help maintain your eyesight and reduce your risk of developing age-related vision problems.
So, share these tips with your family members, and together you can work on preserving your vision and keeping it clear and healthy for as long as possible.
