Protecting your vision as you age is crucial for maintaining your overall quality of life. As you get older, your eyes become more vulnerable to various conditions and diseases that can affect your vision. In this blog, our resident ortho-K doctor at Insight Vision Center Optometry gives five effective ways to safeguard your eye health as you age:
Follow a Good Diet
A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients is essential for maintaining good eye health. Include foods high in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like zinc and selenium. Carrots, leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and fish are all excellent choices for promoting eye health.
Wear Protective Eyewear
Wear appropriate eye protection when engaging in outdoor activities or working in environments with potential eye hazards. Sunglasses with UV protection shield your eyes from harmful UV rays, while safety goggles can protect against workplace hazards, reducing the risk of injury or eye damage.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a significant risk factor for various eye diseases, including cataracts and AMD. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and increase the risk of vision loss. To significantly improve your eye health and reduce these risks, our resident eye doctor recommends you should refrain from smoking.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Schedule routine eye examinations with a trusted eye doctor. These professionals can detect early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which often have no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Early detection and treatment are essential for preserving your vision.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
In addition to these five key strategies, it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Exercise Regularly – Regular physical activity can help improve blood circulation, which benefits your eyes. It can also help you manage your weight, reducing the risk of obesity-related eye conditions.
- Stay Hydrated – Drinking enough water is essential for maintaining the proper fluid balance in your eyes and preventing dry eye syndrome.
- Control Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol – Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels can harm your blood vessels, including those in your eyes. Monitor and manage these levels through a healthy diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medication.
- Limit Screen Time – Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain and dry eyes. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
- Practice Good Eye Hygiene – Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands and remove makeup before bedtime to prevent eye infections.
We Can Help
Vision is a precious thing. For more information or to schedule an appointment with premier eye doctors in Costa Mesa, CA, contact Insight Vision Center Optometry at (714) 486-3315. You can also reach us online to schedule an appointment. We also offer orthokeratology at our Newport Beach, CA, location.
