Over time, aging and age-related health conditions can damage vision and cause eyesight to deteriorate. Thankfully, there are many steps seniors can take to protect their eye health. Here are the top eye care tips to help you manage and maintain your vision.

How to Care for Your Eyes as You Age

1. Get Plenty of Sleep

During sleep, the body uses your resting state to heal itself. Sleep allows your eyes to lubricate, clean out dust and unwanted debris, and take a break from constant focus and stimulation. A lack of sleep can lead to itchy and dry eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and eye infections. Studies show that sleep deprivation could increase the risk of developing glaucoma, which is more prevalent in adults over the age of 40.

2. Protect Your Eyes

Your skin isn’t the only part of your body damaged by sun exposure. To protect your eyes from harmful UV rays when you’re outdoors, wear sunglasses that block out 99% of UVA and UVB rays and screen 75% to 90% of visible light. Wraparound sunglasses will provide full coverage. If you engage in an activity that could damage your eyes, like using hazardous chemicals or working on a project that creates flying debris, always wear protective glasses, goggles, or face shields.

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

Research suggests that including certain vitamins and minerals in your diet could help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E; omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin; and zinc are thought to contribute to stronger, healthier eyes. Leafy greens, fruit, seafood, lean meat, nuts, and seeds are all excellent foods for eye health. 

4. Stay Active

In addition to reducing the risk of health conditions that can harm your eyes and deteriorate your vision, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, exercise provides direct benefits to the eyes. Regular workouts increase your oxygen intake and help regulate your blood pressure. Like any organ, your eyes need oxygen and a steady supply of blood flow to function properly.

5. Visit the Optometrist

Prevention and early detection are key to maintaining healthy eyes. Visiting your optometrist regularly allows them to spot problems and provide treatment options before they worsen or become irreversible. Also, if you are experiencing symptoms like excessive dryness, blindness, eye spots, or soreness, you can visit an eye care center to determine the cause and proper solutions.

If you need assistance protecting your eye health and vision, reach out to the experts at South Tulsa Optical. These optometrists provide exceptional eye care for families throughout the Tulsa County, OK, area. Their professional staff will help you find the best solutions for your eye health and vision, from glasses and contact lenses to LASIK® surgery. Learn more about their services online. To set up an appointment, contact the office at (918) 494-0351.