With one in three Americans experiencing some form of vision-impairment by the age of 65, taking care of your eyes can prove to be important even as you get older. Whether you wear glasses or not, many aspects of your life can have a profound effect on eye health. That said, caring for your eyes as you age doesn’t have to be difficult, and with some simple techniques, you can easily keep your eyes in good health.
Eye health and exercise
While exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, it can play a major role in your eye health as you age – and for good reason. Staying fit at an older age can help reduce health problems that can cause damage to your eye health; for example, getting enough exercise may help prevent conditions such as diabetes, which can cause damage to the blood vessels in your retina. Regular exercise can even help reduce your risk of developing age-related cataracts, proving the importance of making time for regular exercise in your daily routine, even if it’s just to go out for a light walk.
Avoiding injury
As we age, we become much more likely to experience falling, in fact, one in four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. Falling also happens to be a common cause of injury in the older population as well, and while it can lead to back or hip injuries, you can also injure your eyes as well. Puncturing, or even just hitting your eye can cause damage, so it’s necessary to take the proper precautions. One of the best things you can do to prevent injury to your eyes at home is to ensure that sharp corners of tables are padded, keep clutter out of the way, and make sure that you wear non-slip shoes or socks around the house.
Make regular appointments
Making regular appointments with your optometrist is a great way to stay up to date on the status of your eye health, and should be done at least once a year. However, if you experience anything out of the ordinary – like discomfort or changes to your vision, it’s important to make an appointment right away. Staying up to date on your regular exams can ensure your eyes are in good health and can be the number one provision in detecting early signs of disease.
While many seniors may be concerned about heart health and dental care as they get older, maintaining good eye health is also a necessity. By avoiding injury, having a healthy exercise routine, and making regular appointments with your optometrist, you’re sure to keep up to date on the health of your eyes while keeping them in the best shape possible.
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