Top 10 Vision and Aging Tips

1. See Your Eye Doctor

See your eye doctor whenever you have a problem with your eyes. You eye doctor can help dry eyes, itchy eyes and excessive tearing. Diabetics need to have an eye exam every year. People over 40 should go at least once every five years.

2. Eye Drops

If you have dry eyes, eye drops can keep your eyes moist and comfortable. This is important because moist eyes are able to wash out particles, viruses and bacteria that can cause eye infections and irritations.

3. Don’t Smoke

Smoking increases your risk of a number of eye diseases. Avoiding smoking, and quit now if you do smoke. Smoke speeds up the damage to your eye due to the free radicals in tobacco smoke and other factors.

4. Wash Your Hands and Don’t Touch

By washing your hands and not touching your eyes frequently, you can greatly reduce your risk of eye infections. Be sure to wash your hands often during the day and keep them away from your eyes.

5. Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and antioxidants that keep your eyes healthy. Try to eat a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables every day. Be sure to include some dark-colored ones.

6. Take a Multivitamin

There are some vitamins that are essential to eye health. To be sure you are getting the right vitamins, take a daily multivitamin. This will help protect your night vision and keep your eyes healthy throughout your life.

7. Manage Your Health Conditions

High blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses can impact the health of your eyes. By making the necessary lifestyle changes and managing your illness according to your doctor’s guidance, you can avoid some of the eye-related complications of many chronic illnesses.

8. Use Contrast

If you notice that you are having trouble seeing, try to add contrast to poorly lit places. Putting a dark piece of tape on a lightly colored step can make a big difference in judging the step accurately. Increasing the difference between light and dark colors in your home can help you avoid falls and continue to function normally.

9. Better Lighting

Lighting can impact your ability to see. Use bright, full-spectrum lights whenever possible. Change your light bulbs and be sure that you have enough light to see clearly. If you notice vision problems, better lighting can help tremendously.

10. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory, they protect your eyes in three ways:

• They filter out harmful UV rays
• They keep dirt and other particles away from your eyes
• They keep your eyes from drying out due to wind

These three benefits will help keep your eyes feeling comfortable and prevent irritation and infection.

_Sources:

National Institute of Aging. Aging and Your Eyes. Bound for Your Good Health. Pages 69-72.