The golden years often bring vision changes that can affect your eye care needs. Fortunately, the range of options and technologies available to preserve your eyes has come a long way in recent years, and there are also everyday steps you can take. Here’s a closer look at how to protect your vision in your later years.

How Seniors Can Protect Their Vision

1. Eat Eye-Healthy Foods

Seniors are at an increased risk of diabetes, which can disrupt the flow of blood to sensitive parts of the eye, such as the retina. This can ultimately lead to poor vision or blindness. Luckily, making some adjustments to your diet can help.

Oily fish, such as salmon or tuna, contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the chances of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome. Leafy vegetables like spinach or kale contain vitamin C, an essential nutrient for keeping eye tissues healthy to prevent visual acuity loss. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which maintains clarity in the cornea and helps the retinas absorb light. Not only will many of these foods help reduce the risk of diabetes, but they’ll also contribute to overall robust eye health.

2. Wear Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes is a good idea at any age, but seniors should wear the correct type for complete protection. Common risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight are cataracts and macular degeneration, which can result in blurred vision or even blindness.

Be sure to choose wraparound sunglasses that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Polarized lenses will help protect the eyes while driving.

3. Take Note of Any Changes in Vision

Unusual symptoms or sensations, such as floaters, flashes, dry eyes, or watering, are common on occasion, but they can also indicate major or chronic conditions like retinal tears or ocular surface diseases. Retinal tears are typically indicated by a shower of floaters or black dots along with bright flashes of light.

If burning or redness are frequent, inform your doctor and schedule an eye exam to determine what the problem might be. Allowing discomfort or disrupted vision to continue without eye care treatment may cause further complications in any eventual treatment.

 

If you have concerns about eye care or vision, contact Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight. Serving the Greater Cincinnati area and northern Kentucky for over 30 years, their staff has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Call (859) 331-5600 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more details on common eye conditions.