10 Ways to Care for Aging Eyes at Home
Do you struggle to read in dim surroundings or have trouble adjusting to dazzling light? Don’t worry — it's normal especially if you're in your senior years. These are just some ways your vision can change as you grow older. While age can weaken your eyesight, there are some things you can do at home to care for aging eyes.
Aside from at-home care, you also need to visit your doctor regularly to check your overall eye health and how your eyes are adjusting to your new daily routines. Hopefully, this can help you improve and retain your youthful sight and other senses.
Look Out for These Medical Issues
As we grow older, many changes occur in our eyes. For instance, the “sclera” or white of your eye undergoes changes due to ultraviolet light exposure. These changes include browning or yellowing due to cholesterol or fatty deposits in your conjunctiva, the mucus membrane covering your eye.
The conjunctiva also experiences changes over time. These include membrane thinning, which can result in dry eye — a condition caused by reduced tear and mucus production.
Additionally, many people see a decrease in muscle strength as they age. This can lead to presbyopia (the inability to perceive near objects), which is caused by the stiffening of your eyes’ natural lens. Without strong eye muscles, your lens will have a harder time focusing and you might have to get prescription glasses.
Regular visits to a specialist will do you a favor, especially if you’re starting to recognize changes in your eyesight. An eye doctor can also identify any eye conditions you need to treat, some of which are listed below.
Eye Disorders Common to Seniors
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — This stems from damage to the pigmented oval in the retina center, causing a decrease in central vision and perception of fine detail.
Glaucoma — This disease occurs when the optic nerve is damaged progressively, resulting in peripheral visual field loss.
Cataracts — This refers to the clouding or discoloring of the lens covering the eye due to breakdown or degradation of the lens’ proteins. It's part of normal lens aging.
Diabetic retinopathy — This occurs when the retina is damaged as a result of diabetes. Age is related to Type 2 diabetes, and blood glucose levels over time can determine whether a person does or does not develop diabetic retinopathy.
Dry eye — This condition manifests when tear glands malfunction, causing a burning or stinging effect or a sandy feeling in the eyes.
Cornea conditions and diseases — These conditions have symptoms such as redness, pain, watery eyes, vision issues, or halo vision effect.
10 Ways to Keep Your Aging Eyes Healthy
1. Get regular eye tests
Going for a regular eye exam is a great way to check your overall eye health and confirm if your prescription glasses are up to date. Moreover, an eye specialist can identify diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and melanoma, or even seemingly unrelated conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes which can affect your eyesight.
2. Practice healthy eating
Eating foods rich in vitamin C (such as strawberries, kiwis, papayas, oranges, and red bell peppers) can improve your vision. You should also consume foods rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene, and lutein (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, spinach, and squash) as these can lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight increases your risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to vision loss. Watching your diet benefits not just your eyes, but your overall health as well — so it’s a win-win especially for seniors.
4. Wear the right glasses
Wearing the right prescription glasses and/or contact lenses can improve existing eye conditions and reduce eye strain. Your eye specialist will prescribe the right glasses for you.
5. Always protect your eyes from the sun
Although we require vitamin D from the sun, seniors must protect their eyes from too much sun exposure. Elderly people are more prone to sun-related issues like cancer, so using a pair of sunglasses (even if you have prescription glasses or contact lenses) is greatly recommended.
6. Make sure you have ample lighting
Aging eyes require 3 times more light than that of someone in their twenties. Make sure to invest in good-quality lighting, especially around stairs. You can also welcome more natural light into your home by keeping windows clean and curtains pulled back.
7. Quit smoking
Smoking poses a danger to your lungs, heart, eyes, and other organs. The toxins released during smoking might aid conditions like AMD and cataracts. Do your body a favor and stop smoking!
8. Exercise
Light, regular exercises like walking and yoga ensures good oxygen intake and blood circulation throughout your body, including your eyes. Your physician can advise you on an appropriate exercise regimen to aid your eye health and overall wellness.
9. Sleep well
When we sleep, our eyes experience continuous lubrication, and irritants like allergens, smoke, and dust that could have accumulated during the daytime are cleared out.
10. Take frequent eye breaks
Include frequent breaks into your daily routine, especially if you work on a computer or watch TV a lot. Every 15 to 20 minutes, make sure to take a 20- to 30-second break to relax your eyes and blink frequently.
Conclusion
Being proactive is the key to good eye care for the elderly. Aging is inevitable, but regular eye checkups, a healthy diet, exercise, and positive changes in your lifestyle can significantly aid your eyes' health. Always seek medical attention whenever your eyes signal issues or get injured.
At Elite Home Health Care, we are dedicated to providing you with quality services that support your aging journey. For more information on our comprehensive health services, contact us today.
