Tips for Maintaining Eye Health in the Elderly
Always tell your eye doctor about your health and what medications and supplements you take. Also talk to them about nutrition, sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle choices. Remember that you and your doctor are partners in caring for your vision.
Low vision doesn’t necessarily mean reduced ability
The term low vision describes vision loss that makes it difficult to perform daily tasks. But it’s important to remember that normal aging of the eye doesn’t lead to low vision; vision loss is the result of eye disease, eye injury, or both.
Symptoms of low vision include loss of central or peripheral (side) vision, blurred vision, and night blindness. You may have trouble recognizing faces, reading, driving, and shopping. If you experience any of these problems, you should see an eye doctor. The doctor will examine and treat any underlying eye conditions and recommend low vision resources, rehabilitation, tools and equipment to help with studying and other daily tasks.
Fortunately, technology and education are helping people adjust to living with low vision. Today, low vision assistive devices, magnifiers, computer tools, games, resources and tactics can help people live successful and enjoyable lives despite their low vision.
Preventing eye injuries at home can protect your vision
Did you know that half of all eye injuries occur in or around the home, often during home improvement projects? The good news is that nearly all eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Every household should have at least one pair of approved safety glasses.
As you age, vision changes and balance loss increase the risk of falls in the home. Here are some tips to help prevent injuries:
Make sure the bathroom is not slippery.
Secure stair railings so they don’t come loose.
Sharp corners on cushions and furniture edges can be a hazard.
Increase the lighting in your home to help you see better.
Nourish your eyes with exercise
The eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen, which regular exercise provides. Exercise also helps keep our weight in check and reduces the risk of diabetes, which can lead to vision loss.
Lighter exercises such as walking, yoga, tai chi, or stretching can be effective ways to stay healthy. Follow sun safety tips and wear the right sunglasses when enjoying sports and recreation.
Get enough sleep for healthy eyes
When we sleep, our eyes benefit from constant lubrication. During sleep, the eyes also clear themselves of irritants such as dust, allergens, or smoke and fumes that may have accumulated in the eyes during the day.
Research shows that light-sensitive cells in the eyes are important for regulating sleep-wake cycles. This becomes even more important as we age, when more people struggle with insomnia. While it’s important to protect our eyes from excessive UV radiation, exposure to natural light during the day is essential to help maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle.
Women are more likely to develop eye diseases
Women are more likely than men to develop glaucoma and vision loss or blindness from glaucoma. Cataracts are also more common in women.
Although women are more likely to develop eye diseases, they should still follow eye screening guidelines and schedule regular eye exams.
Source:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health