Senior Eye Care Tips
Wrinkles, creaky knees, and grey hair are not the only signs of aging. Consider the numerous age-related eye conditions that can affect you, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and glaucoma. You should know: Although they are more common in people over 50 years, their appearance is not unavoidable.
Eyesight, like other physiological functions of the body, begins to deteriorate as a person ages. It is a natural phenomenon and a common problem with aging, exacerbated by today’s unhealthy lifestyle. Several medical conditions can hasten the deterioration of vision. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can make a significant difference. Maintaining good eyesight in old age requires a lot of consistent effort, but it’s all worth it when we consider the quality of life.
Senior eye care is something that everyone should think about as they get older. It’s no mystery that our eyesight deteriorates as we age, whether it’s hereditary or profoundly affected by our daily activities or environment. Maintaining a vibrant, active lifestyle necessitates keeping your vision sharp.
How To Take Care Of Eyes In The Elderly?
Eye problems can occur at any age but are more common in the elderly. Most eye conditions have a risk rate that rises after the age of 70 or 80. However, many of the eye conditions that develop due to aging are considered normal by many medical professionals. You can even compensate for it. Aging increases the risk of some sight-threatening eye conditions, which is why it is critical to be informed and to have regular eye exams.
As we get older, our vision deteriorates, and our risk of vision problems that can interfere with our lifestyle and independence rises. You will find glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and diabetic retinopathy to be frequent among the elderly. You can’t stop your eyes from aging, but you can slow the damage caused by aging by taking care of your eye health.
Here are a few tips to take care of eyes in the elderly:
1. Have your eyes checked regularly.
Even if you’re a healthy adult with no vision problems, start getting annual eye exams at the age of 40 and have your eye doctor look for signs of glaucoma and retinal damage. People over the age of 40 who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of eye disorders, such as diabetes or vision problems, should see an eye care professional. Depending on your risk factors and the preliminary results of your exam, ask your eye specialist to recommend efficient screening periods to help maintain clear vision.
2. Put on some sunglasses.
UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun can harm aging eyes in the same way they can hurt the skin. UV rays can cause cataracts and possibly hasten the progression of macular degeneration. Sunglasses with UV filters are the best way to protect your eyes from the sun. Any color lens will suffice as long as it has UV protection.
3. Put on a hat.
When you’re going to be outside for an extended period, wear a hat with a wide brim. Sunglasses can help, but a hat will provide additional protection. If you’re gardening, golfing, or playing tennis, you’ll want to keep the sun off your face and eyes to protect your skin from melanomas. Melanoma most commonly develops on the eyelid.
4. Savor the garden’s bounty.
Choose fruit and vegetable-rich diet. While definitive evidence is lacking, some studies suggest that adequate intake of the antioxidants – lutein and zeaxanthin – may help lower the risk of aging-related eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. You will find lutein and zeaxanthin in yellow and orange pigmented fruits and vegetables such as corn, squash, carrots, and citrus fruits. You can also find them in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach.
5. Consume a multivitamin.
Vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, and zinc benefit eye health. When you select a multivitamin, make sure it meets all the requirements for your age and stage of life.
6. Quit smoking.
Smoking can contribute to eye diseases by decreasing blood flow to the eyes and increasing the number of toxic substances (such as tar and nicotine) that your eyes absorb. If you have a family history of diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, smoking can increase your risk.
7. Let some light in through the windows.
While reading or working in a dimly lit environment will not permanently harm your eyes, it may cause temporary eyestrain, which can lead to headaches and fatigue. Make sure your workspace is well-lit to protect your eyes.
8. Take a breather.
Taking frequent breaks from the computer screen or reading materials is another way to avoid eye strain. Look up or away for 10 seconds every 10 minutes to give your eyes a break. If you’re watching television, take a break by looking away every half hour or so.
9. Get enough sleep.
Overtiredness can aggravate eye strain. Your eyes, like the rest of your body, will be refreshed if you get enough sleep.
10. Do not disregard warning signs.
Many potentially serious vision problems can get treated by eye doctors if they are detected early enough. Consult your doctor if you have blurred or double vision, if your eyesight appears cloudy, if you have eye pain, or if you are bothered by light glare. All these symptoms indicate that you may be developing vision problems that you can get treated by your eye doctor.
There are numerous ways to practice positive senior eye care. Although aging is unavoidable, exercise, a healthy diet, and positive lifestyle changes can help to extend the life of your eyes.
Why Is Taking Care Of The Eyes Critical In The Elderly?
There are a few common eye problems that appear as a person ages. Dry eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, and vision loss are examples of these. During their golden years, the majority of people will experience at least one of these ocular conditions. The severity of these ocular ailments typically worsens throughout a person’s life.
Taking care of one’s eyes in old age is primarily a matter of awareness. The interventions and tools for maintaining a good vision are frequently beneficial, but they are not used optimally due to the inability to identify problems early. The first and most important solution is to have regular eye exams. Because of the irregularity of eye checkups, any corrections in visual acuity, and the resulting modification in glasses, are frequently ignored. Optometrists worldwide recommend having an eye exam at least once every two years, up to the age of 50. After that, you need to get an eye checkup done at least once a year.
The sooner your optometrist detects any symptoms, the easier it is to treat or prevent them. Maintaining good eyesight requires being vigilant about the eyes and any problems that may arise, such as reading difficulties, hazy vision, redness or soreness in or around the eyes, pain, or swelling.
What Are The Common Eye Problems Associated With Aging?
Age can cause changes in your vision and eyes. But there are things you can do to maintain lifelong eye health and overall health. The solution could be as simple as using brighter lights around the house to help prevent accidents caused by poor eyesight or as complex as seeing your doctor more frequently to screen for age-related diseases.
Presbyopia, glaucoma, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and temporal arteritis are common age-related eye problems. Maintaining regular eye doctor appointments is especially important if you have diabetes. Whether you have an age-related vision condition or not, there are simple things you can do to improve your vision and keep your eyes healthy. See your eye doctor for comprehensive eye exams regularly, and take extra precautions if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease.
Summary
Lifestyle choices have a direct impact on vision. Eating a well-balanced diet can help with a variety of eye problems. Green leafy vegetables are well known for their eye-health benefits. Several studies have concluded that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can significantly reduce the risk of AMD and cataracts. Tobacco use has its links to an increased risk of AMD, uveitis, and cataracts, among other eye diseases. You should wear sunglasses when going outside to protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. Other lifestyle factors that you should follow to preserve your eyesight during old age include – regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a stress-free environment.
If you’re above 65 years of age, you will need to follow a schedule that allows you to keep eye-related problems at bay. However, if you or your loved ones do encounter an eye-related issue, remember only to reach out to the most advanced eye-care hospitals and clinics for the problem. The experts at Dada Laser Eye Institute will guide you through the eye problem and suggest the necessary steps for further treatment. The doctors explain the risks involved and share their knowledge about the issue before and after your treatment. You can contact our experts and get a consultation by dialing (+91) 992 299 5549 or visiting our website to fill out a form.
References:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/seniors-eye-health-tips
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/best-way-to-age-proof-your-vision
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Looking-After-Your-Eyes-During-Old-Age.aspx
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/eye-health-tips-for-older-people/
https://www.agespace.org/health/health-elderly-illnesses/eyesight-health-tips-elderly
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/senior-vision?sso=y