Caring For Aging Eyes

HVA • 11 months ago

Our eyes undergo several changes as we age, which may lead to various eye problems. Age-related vision changes can affect our ability to see things clearly, read small prints, or even perform everyday tasks. Therefore, taking care of our eye health as we age is crucial. Here, we will discuss some essential tips to help you care for aging eyes.

Most Common Aging Eye Issues

Understanding the most common aging eye issues can help you take proactive steps to maintain healthy eyesight as you grow older. Below are some of the most common eye issues that affect older adults.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a natural part of aging eyes that affects almost everyone over 60. It occurs due to a loss in the flexibility of the lens, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. As a result, many people with presbyopia need reading glasses or bifocals to see clearly up close.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye issue that affects many adults over 60. They occur due to the lens becoming cloudy, which can cause blurry or hazy vision. In some cases, cataracts can also cause problems such as double vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. While cataracts can be treated with surgery, it's important to monitor them regularly to ensure they don't interfere with your daily life.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye issues in people over 60. The condition affects the optic nerve in the eye, leading to vision loss if left untreated. It's often caused by a buildup of fluid in the eye, which can increase pressure and damage the optic nerve over time. Symptoms of glaucoma may include blurry vision, halos around lights, and loss of peripheral vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that focuses on the image we see. The progressive disease causes central vision loss, making reading, driving, or recognizing faces challenging. While there is no cure for AMD, there are treatments that can slow its progression and help preserve your remaining vision. Read more about AMD here.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye issues in people over 60, occurring when the eyes don't produce sufficient tear volume or when the quality of your tears is poor. If left untreated, this can lead to discomfort and vision problems. While dry eye syndrome can affect anyone, it's more common in older adults, especially women.

9 Tips on Caring for Aging Eye

Now that you know the most prominent eye issues affecting people over 60, you must know some tips on caring for aging eyes to prevent, slow the progression, and help manage these conditions.

1. Get Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are essential for people of all ages, but they become more crucial when caring for aging eyes. Eye exams can detect signs of eye diseases early and help prevent vision loss. Experts recommend that adults aged 60 and above should have comprehensive eye exams yearly or as their eye doctor recommends.

2. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet can also help with caring for aging eyes. Include foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, such as green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fish, nuts, and whole grains, in your diet to prevent eye issues. These foods can help reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.

3. Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

The sun's harmful UV rays can damage our eyes, leading to several eye problems. Therefore, protecting our eyes from the sun is essential when caring for aging eyes. Wear sunglasses that block 100% UV rays and a hat when outdoors during the daytime. It's also essential to avoid looking directly at the sun, which can cause irreversible eye damage.

4. Quit Smoking

Smoking is not only harmful to our lungs, but it can also cause various eye issues. Smokers are more likely to develop cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems than non-smokers. Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of these eye diseases and is crucial when caring for aging eyes.

5. Use Good Lighting

Good lighting is crucial for maintaining healthy eyesight, especially when reading or working on the computer. Use bright lighting in your home and workplace, such as LED or fluorescent bulbs. Adjust the brightness of your computer or phone screen to reduce eye strain. It's also essential to take breaks regularly when working on the computer to rest your eyes.

6. Take Breaks from Screens

Spending long hours in front of a computer or phone screen can strain your eyes and cause discomfort. It's important to take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something in the distance for at least 20 seconds to avoid this. This can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

7. Manage Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions like diabetes can cause damage to your eyes and increase your risk of developing aging eye issues like glaucoma and cataracts. Managing these conditions is important to reduce your risk of developing eye issues. This may include taking medication as prescribed, monitoring your blood sugar or blood pressure, and making lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

8. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is crucial when caring for aging eyes. It can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also improve circulation and reduce inflammation, benefiting your eyes. Exercise can also help reduce your risk of developing AMD.

9. Get Insured

Eye care can be expensive, especially as we age, and require more frequent exams and treatments. Having adequate insurance coverage is important to ensure you can receive the care you need. Medicare covers many eye care services, including annual dilated eye exams for people at high risk for glaucoma and those with diabetes. If you don't have Medicare or your insurance doesn't cover eye care, consider purchasing a supplemental policy or vision insurance to help cover the costs.

To Conclude

Taking care of your aging eyes is crucial to maintain good vision and preventing eye issues. Following these tips can help keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of age-related eye problems. Moreover, Healthy Vision Association can help you manage eye issues, provide several benefits to people with worsening eye health, and offer health tips to improve your eye health.