Eyesight is among the most crucial five senses. Having healthy eyes is important to your health and well-being. With clear eyesight, you will perform better at work, at home, and when driving.
Fortunately, taking a few steps can help ensure that your eyesight is healthy. The best way to care for your eyesight is by having a regular eye exam. This will help identify and solve any issues before they become complicated.
If an issue has been found, e.g. cataracts, then your optician will help you look for the best laser cataract surgeons in your area, for instance, if this is needed. But prevention is always a good thing to have in mind.
Eating healthy and practicing thorough hygiene are other ways to maintain your eye health as you age. Read on to learn more about how to care for your eye health and more.
Common Eye Diseases
As we age, we are at more risk of developing eye disease. The most common eye diseases include;
- Macular Degeneration- the central part of the retina is called the macula. Many people in developed countries suffer from Age-Related Macular Degeneration https://plano.co/ which is among the main causes of blindness.
- Glaucoma- our optic nerve is responsible for transferring visual information from the eye to the brain. Unfortunately, glaucoma causes progressive degeneration of this nerve. Thus, leading to poor eyesight or in worst cases, blindness.
- Dry Eye Disease- this condition causes insufficient tear fluid. Therefore, your eyes tend to dry up, causing discomfort and visual problems.
Cataracts- it causes your eyes to become clouded. Cataracts most affect people as they age and are among the causes of blindness and visual impairment.
How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy?
1. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Getting a comprehensive dilated exam is one of the best decisions you can make for your eye health. Note that many eye diseases do not present any symptoms or warning signs.
Therefore, the only way to confirm the presence or absence of eye diseases early is through this exam.
After the exam, if you have a problem, the doctor may recommend different solutions. Sometimes you may get away with just wearing glasses, other times you might need a multifocal lens to correct your vision. Either way, it can be good to get a second opinion and then research the procedures before making your mind up.
2. Determine Whether You’re at Risk of Eye Diseases
Generally, as a person gets older, their risk of some eye diseases increases. You may also be at a higher risk if you have a family history of eye disease, are obese or overweight, or are of African, Native American, or Hispanic backgrounds.
Some health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes increase your risk of eye diseases. For instance, diabetic people can develop diabetic retinopathy. Speak to your doctor if you think you may be at risk of some eye diseases.
3. Protect Your Eyes
If you’re going out to the sun, make sure you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. Exposure to these rays can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Wear a pair that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Even if you wear contact lenses, it is still advisable to wear sunglasses for added protection.
Again, invest in safety glasses designed for specific activities like construction, playing sports, doing home repairs, etc. And remember to give your eyes a break from staring at a computer or phone.
4. Eat Well
Food plays an essential role in your eye health. Make sure to eat lots of nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, lutein, and vitamin C as they help reduce age-related vision issues like cataracts.
To get these nutrients, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, oranges, and other citrus fruits, salmon, eggs, beans, nuts, etc.
Also, note that eating healthy helps you stay at a healthy weight, which lowers your risks of obesity and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes that causes blindness.
Lastly, remember to keep your hands clean, especially if you wear contacts. Touching your eyes with dirty hands can cause eye infections like bacterial conjunctivitis.