Between your 30s and 40s, you are likely to start developing eyesight issues. This is especially true if, on a regular basis, you work at a computer screen or do a lot of reading. Between the ages of 40 and 60, one of the most common vision challenges is poor vision at close range.
When vision changes initially occur, you may be holding reading materials a little bit further from your face in order to read them clearly. If you already wear glasses, to see things up close, you may have to remove those glasses. We may even begin to see blurry print on restaurant menus or newspapers in dim lighting.
To improve seniors’ vision, there are any number of things that can be tried. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Get Your Eyes Examined Regularly
Just like how you’ll get a physical to make sure your body is healthy, or get your teeth checked on a regular basis for good dental health, your eyes should be checked regularly as well to ensure that they’re working well. By getting your eyes examined on a regular basis, you can quickly correct your vision, or detect and treat certain eye conditions to prevent them from worsening.
Quit Smoking
We already know that smoking isn’t good for us. We hear it every day. However, specifically, it’s bad for your eyes! AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and cataracts are more likely to affect you if you’re a smoker.
Create Eye-Friendly Surroundings
What do you see when you look around? Is it pleasing to your eyes? It should be. Putting yourself in an enjoyable, beautiful surrounding can be beneficial to your frame of mind and even your eyes. Not only what you see, but what you subject your eyes to can matter as well. Fluorescent lights, dim lighting, chlorine from the swimming pool, computer or screen time, and more are hard on your eyes.
Get Adequate Sleep
Adequate sleep is important for everyone – for a healthy mind, body, and eyes! Older adults in particular need at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Give Your Eyes a Break
Though rest is important for your entire body, periodically resting your eyes throughout the day is essential – especially if you work at a computer or read all day.
Exercising Can Help with Your Eyesight
Your eyes and the rest of your body will benefit greatly from at least 20 minutes of physical exercise per day.
Exercise Your Eyes
Just like the muscles in your body are better developed and strengthened by proper exercise, so are your eye muscles. Roll your eyes (as more than simply a sign of annoyance) for some exercise. Focus on something in front of you and watch it while you move it back and forth, up and down, without moving your head.
Eat Healthy Food
Though it sounds cliché, healthier vision can be better achieved, in part, by eating carrots. The reason? The essential nutrient for vision – vitamin A – is contained in carrots. In your diet, you should also include zinc, copper, vitamin E, and vitamin B for healthy eye function.
Additionally, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, pumpkins, eggs, and – yes, carrots – can help fight off macular degeneration. Eye cell membrane can also be strengthened by eating cod, wild salmon, mackerel, and other cold-water fish.
Experience Better Health and Wellness at Discovery Village At The West End
For every resident, Discovery Village At The West End delivers personalized care with a team of specially trained health and wellness professionals. In our community, there’s always something exciting and inspiring happening. To find out more about our world-class senior living options, get in touch with us today.
