The Age of Eye Care: Tips for Elderly Patients
It’s no secret that as we age, our vision begins to suffer. If you are an elderly person who is struggling with their vision, these tips can help make things easier on you.
It’s All about Nutrition
We can’t stress enough how a nutritious diet is a key factor in improving eye health. Foods that are especially beneficial are those that contain antioxidants and vitamins (leafy greens, vegetables, fish). Fish also has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen the macula, which is the area of the eye that controls central vision.
If you are lacking in vital nutrients, and have taken up bad habits like drinking too much alcohol or consuming a diet high in saturated fats, this could deeply harm your vision.
Say No to Cigarettes
Smoking is a bad habit that not only damages your overall health, but your eye health as well. Smoking can increase the risk of developing several detrimental eye conditions, and exposes your eyes to a wide variety of chemicals. It’s never too late to quit smoking, and there are resources out there that can help you put your health first.
Exercise Daily
Exercising is good for your heart, your mood, and it even helps improve your vision. Exercise stimulates blood flow, which increases oxygen levels to your eyes. As a result, toxins are removed from the eyes, enhancing vision. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and you will notice vast improvements to your health.
Get in Quality Sleep
Getting proper sleep is one of the greatest things you can do for your health. People struggle with these sleep patterns constantly, and notice how it interferes with their wellbeing. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is also linked to eye health. When we go to sleep, our eyes go through a process of clearing out common eye irritants such as dust, smoke, or particles that our eyes have collected throughout the day.
If you’re worried about your sleep, there are several things you can do. If you have trouble getting to sleep at night, you can create a bedtime ritual, avoid drinking caffeine during the day, and try to stick to a sleep schedule. There are also certain apps that can help track the quality of your sleep to make sure you are getting the sleep your body needs.
Don’t Forget Your Sunnies
It’s hard to resist those sunny summer days. All you want to do is be outside and enjoy every minute of it. However, being outside too long in the sun can harm your eyes. Invest in a pair of sunglasses that blocks harmful UV rays to get the best protection possible. You can also buy a wide brimmed hat, which can block the UV radiation that the side of your sunglasses can’t prevent.
Be Mindful at the Computer
Staring at a computer screen for too long can tire out your eyes. If you stare at a computer screen for two hours, that eye strain is the equivalent of the strain your wrists would feel for typing for two hours. The following tips should help with eye stress that results from staring at the computer for too long:
- Place the top of the computer screen below eye level
- If your eyes become very irritated, use eye drops
- Make necessary adjustments to lighting
- Take breaks every 15 minutes and let your eyes rest away from any computer screens (this includes smart phones and tablets)
- Blink as often as you can
Take Steps to Avoid Injuries
Eye injuries do happen, but there are preventative measures you can take to avoid these types of injuries. Approximately half of eye injuries happen around the home, especially during home improvement projects. If you are taking on a new project, always wear protective eye wear and make sure you own a pair of certified safety glasses.
Falls are another way in which eye injuries take place. As we age, falls become more commonplace as a result of changes in vision and difficulties with balance. To avoid falls, here are some tips that should keep you safe:
- Make sure all railings are secure
- Only purchases rugs, shower and bath mats that are slip-proof
- If there are sharp corners and edges throughout the home, add some cushioning around them
We hope these tips will help improve your lifestyle and vision! The staff at Dr. Ghosheh Advanced Eye Medical, Orange County, values its elderly patients, and wants their eye health to be the best it can be. If you have any concerns regarding your eye health, do not hesitate to contact us.