Despite what many think, significant or total vision loss is not a normal part of aging. In fact, eye health surveys have found that only a little over a quarter of all seniors over the age of 70 suffer from vision impairment. That said, vision changes do occur over time. As the body gets older, systems and functions may weaken, thereby leading to eye problems. This includes conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the development and progression of these issues can definitely be curbed with the right measures. Although some older adults might feel like they can cut corners or are too old for certain practices, eye health is an essential priority across all life stages. As such, here are some habits that seniors should carry with them into their golden years.
It’s really important to know about common eye issues that come with age so we can keep our eyes healthy. Let’s look at some of the main eye problems that show up as we age. We’ll share useful tips to help you take good care of your eyes.
- Cataracts: Cataracts are a common eye problem that comes with age. They make the lens of your eye cloudy, which is behind the iris and pupil. This cloudiness can make your vision worse, kind of like looking through a foggy window. Cataracts grow slowly and can mess with one or both eyes. They can make it hard to see colors, read, or even recognize faces. While aging is the main cause, other things like diabetes, smoking, too much sun, and past eye injuries can raise your risk. You might notice blurry vision, trouble seeing at night, being extra sensitive to light and glare, and seeing rings around lights. But don’t worry, there’s a fix! Surgery can swap out the cloudy lens for a clear, man-made one and make your sight good again.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a set of eye problems that harm the optic nerve, which is essential for clear vision. It’s often due to increased pressure in the eye. This pressure can damage the nerve fibers, causing blind spots and, without treatment, total blindness. The chance of getting glaucoma goes up as you get older, especially after 60. Glaucoma might run in families, but changes in the eye as we age can also lead to it. Catching it early with regular eye checks is key because once glaucoma damages your vision, you can’t fix it. However, treatments and ongoing exams can slow down or stop further loss of sight if you find the disease early on.
- Age-related macular degeneration: As we get older, our eyes might have more trouble with vision issues. A common problem for older folks is macular degeneration. It harms the macula, which helps us see straight ahead clearly. When the macula gets hurt, people slowly start to lose their sharp vision. Macular degeneration is a top reason older adults lose their sight, making it hard to do things like read, drive, or see faces well. Catching it early and managing it right can slow it down and help save your vision. Getting your eyes checked often and talking to an eye doctor can catch and treat this eye problem early on.
Let’s talk about the best habits for older adults to keep their eyes healthy and avoid eye problems. By adding these simple steps to their daily life, people can protect their vision for a long time.
1. Wear eyewear for protection, not just correction
The eyes are sensitive organs that need proactive protection at every age. That said, two protective eyewear pieces seniors should invest in are shades and computer specs. According to the CDC, only about 18% of older adults wear any sun protection, which may include sunnies. This is dangerous, considering that excess sun exposure can cause cellular damage. For seniors, this can hasten the development of eye problems like cataracts, as the eye proteins tend to cluster when overexposed to the sun. To prevent this, look for sunglasses that use 100% UV filters. Brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley are known for their shades that block out harmful rays while also offering a wider field of protection with their large wraparound frames. If you do have refractive errors, you can use prescription sunglasses instead. These are widely available across various labels, including luxury designers like Versace.
As mentioned earlier, seniors also need eyewear for screen time. Globally, seniors have been found to spend more time in front of gadgets, with some averaging over four hours daily. This can lead to too much blue light exposure, which can cause things like sleep disturbances and eye fatigue. Fortunately, blue light glasses have been found to help with this. Available with and without prescription from brands like Warby Parker and LensCrafters, these specs can help alleviate digital eye syndrome and improve visual acuity.
2. Go for regular eye tests even if you feel fine
As per the SWNS, up to one in four seniors hate going to the doctor and often choose to skip necessary visits simply. For the eyes, this can lead to the progression of serious diseases that are hard to spot without an expert’s intervention. For instance, diabetic retinopathy, which affects around 2.5 million seniors, is very subtle until irreversible damage has been done. That said, those aged 65 and older should schedule an eye test at least once every two years. During these eye exams, doctors can study parts of the eyes and how they function. In some cases, this can even lead to the diagnosis of other health concerns like diabetes or heart problems. This is because trained doctors will be able to spot any changes in your eyes’ blood vessels that may indicate problems with your blood sugar and blood pressure.
If it’s too hard to schedule an eye exam in person, the good news is that many retailers now offer online booking. For example, Target and Vision Express offer comprehensive tests that you can schedule remotely with your nearest branch for your earliest convenience. In many cases, these can also be covered by your insurance, so you’ll only have to pay a small amount, if any. Should you suffer from mobility problems, you can also try booking a test at home with local ophthalmologists and optometrists.
3. Eat well and move often
Finally, while your senior years should be a chance to relax, it doesn’t mean you should get lax about your lifestyle. More than ever, the aging body needs the support of a balanced diet and regular exercise. In terms of eye health, a balanced diet can help enhance recovery, function, and the ability to stave off ailments. For example, adding butterfly pea flowers, like those from OTC Beverages, into your diet can help neutralize free radicals that can cause heart problems. This can prevent hypertensive issues that can cause excessive pressure buildup in the eyes. Over time, excess pressure like this leads to glaucoma. At the same time, making time to work at least thrice a week can enhance overall circulation. This helps with blood flow and oxygenation, which is necessary for the eyes to work well. Eye health, even in your older years, is not impossible. With some extra care and consideration, seniors can still enjoy clear and comfortable vision. For more on health, please visit the rest of our site.
4. Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference
To keep your eyes healthy as you age, it’s important to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet full of antioxidants, stay active to help blood flow, and wear good sunglasses to protect against UV rays. It’s also key to take care of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can hurt your eyes. Don’t smoke, as it can make eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts worse. And don’t forget to get regular eye exams, so any issues can be caught and treated early. Doing these things can help you maintain good vision for a long time.