Protecting Your Vision as You Age

As we age, our vision begins to deteriorate. Proper health and eye care are essential to long-lasting vision success. For older individuals, it is especially beneficial to understand how to properly care for your eyes to ensure the best possible vision as you get older. 

There are several simple ways to maintain good eyesight as you age. Consider the following tips: 

Know Your Family Eye History – Many eye problems are hereditary. Eye diseases that may run in families include glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. 

Sun Protection – Grab a pair of sunglasses with a minimum of 100% UV protection to block and prevent the damage of harmful ultraviolet rays.  

Controlling or Eliminating Bad Habits – Many unhealthy habits can take a toll on your eyes. Quit smoking, control alcohol intake, avoid late night reading and reduce excess TV or computer time. 

Nutrition – A healthy, well-balanced diet is vital to your overall health. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale or collard greens, can help to keep your eyes healthy as you age.

Hydration – A lack of adequate water intake leaves eyes dry, which can be damaging for vision. Avoid too much coffee, tea or soda drinks. Green tea can be a great alternative to black tea because it is a good source of anti-oxidants and helps to keep vision sharp.

Maintain Regular Eye Exams – As we age, we become prone to a variety of eye problems, including glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. You should get your eye checked regularly to ensure that your vision is not diminishing, that your prescription is still accurate and that your eyes are generally healthy.

Aging is unavoidable but living healthy is a choice anyone can make. Contact Premier Eye care & Surgery Center at 847-459-6060 or website to learn more about protecting your vision as you age or to schedule an exam with our doctors.