10 Tips for Healthy Aging Eyes

By Beth W. Orenstein

10 Tips for Preserving Eye Health

The following tips can help you take care of your eyes and preserve clear vision:

1. Get regular eye exams. Starting at age 40, get annual eye exams and have your eye doctor look for signs of glaucoma and retinal damage, even if you're a healthy adult with no vision problems. People who have certain medical conditions that increase the risk of eye disorders, such as diabetes, or those who have vision problems should see an eye care professional earlier than 40. Depending on your risk factors and the initial findings of your exam, ask your eye doctor to recommend the appropriate screening intervals that will help maintain clear vision.

2. Wear shades. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage aging eyes just as they can damage skin, says Richard G. Shugarman, MD, an ophthalmologist in private practice in West Palm Beach, Fla., and a volunteer professor of ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. UV rays can cause cataracts and possibly accelerate macular degeneration. The best way to protect eyes from the sun is with sunglasses that have UV filters. “Sunglasses should be large and wrap around a little, although if you need a prescription you can’t have too much wraparound without distorting the images,” says Dr. Shugarman. Lenses of any color will do as long as they have UV filters.

3. Don a hat. Wear a wide-brimmed hat when you're outdoors for any length of time. Sunglasses help, but a hat will give you extra protection. “If you’re gardening or playing golf or a round of tennis, you want to keep the sunlight off your face and eyes, and protect your skin from melanomas,” says Shugarman. The eyelid is a common spot for a melanoma to develop.

4. Enjoy the fruits of the garden. Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. While definitive evidence is lacking, some studies suggest that sufficient intake of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin may help lower the risk of eye conditions that can accompany aging, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, Shugarman says. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in fruits and vegetables with yellow and orange pigments, such as corn, squash, carrots, and citrus fruits. They are also found in dark green leafy vegetables, like kale and spinach.

5. Take a multivitamin. Vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, and E and the mineral zinc have been shown to promote eye health. “Fifty years ago, doctors were convinced that if people ate a normal, balanced diet, they didn’t need supplements,” Shugarman says. “But today’s soil is not as rich in nutrients as it used to be, and some of it is over-farmed. We’re getting shortchanged even when we try to eat properly.” When choosing a multivitamin, be sure to get one that meets all the requirements for your age and stage of life.

6. Stop smoking. Smoking can promote eye diseases because it reduces blood flow to the eyes and can increase the amount of toxic substances (like tar and nicotine) your eyes absorb. If you’re at risk for diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, exposure to toxic substances in cigarettes can elevate that risk.

7. Shed some light. While you won’t permanently hurt your eyes by reading or working in a dimly lit area, you can cause temporary eyestrain, which can lead to headaches and fatigue. Protect your eyes by making sure your workspace is brightly lit.

8. Take a break. Another way to prevent eyestrain is to take frequent breaks from the computer screen or reading materials. About every 10 minutes, look up or awa

y for 10 seconds, so your eyes get a rest. If you’re watching television, give your eyes a break and look away every half hour or so.

9. Get sufficient sleep. Being overtired can increase eyestrain. If you get enough sleep, your eyes will be refreshed along with the rest of your body.

10. Don’t ignore warning signs. Eye doctors can treat many potentially serious vision problems if they are caught early enough. See your doctor if you experience blurred or double vision, if your vision appears cloudy, or if you have eye pain or are bothered by the glare of lights. All are signs that you could be developing vision problems that can be treated by your eye doctor.

You can’t stop time, but you can take care of your eyes so that they remain healthy as you age. Having clear vision is possible at any age.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/

5 EYE-HEALTH HABITS FOR SENIOR ADULTS

Heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s are all healthcare issues that we tend to worry about as we get older.  Not as many older adults put much thought into their eye health until their vision starts to deteriorate.

Don’t wait until vision problems threaten your independence. Stop eye and vision deterioration from progressing with 5 steps to better eye health. 

1. Start a senior fitness program.

Exercise really is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Being active as an older adult can help you fight any number of diseases and chronic conditions—like heart disease,  stroke, diabetes, and mental decline—that can undermine your health and inhibit your independent senior lifestyle.

Getting a minimum of 2 and a half hours of moderate aerobic activity every week, like a brisk walk around the neighborhood every morning, can work wonders on your physical and mental wellness. Plus, getting regular aerobic exercise improves the circulation of your blood, which helps improve the health of your eyes.

2. Eat well to live well.

Eating healthy foods isn’t just for weight management. Having a nutritious diet with plenty of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants provides a daily blast of nourishment to your eyes and promotes good vision. And eating well can reduce your risk of developing conditions, like diabetes, that effect eye health.

If you’re looking to eat eye-healthy fare try upping your intake of these foods:

• citrus fruits
• vegetable oils
• nuts
• whole grains
• dark green leafy vegetables
• cold water fish

3. Stop smoking.

Quitting is winning if you’re a smoker.

Of all the unhealthy habits that seniors have picked up over the years, smoking is one of the worst.

Not only does it cause cancer, diminish your lung capacity, and put you at risk for heart disease—smoking can also increase your chances of developing conditions that can seriously impair your vision like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetes.

4. Be smart about eyestrain.

We’re a pretty tech-savvy bunch here at Deupree House. We hold a lifelong learning series on all the latest gadgets and gizmos where our very own Dr. Roger Giesel helps other residents get more out of their Apple devices.

If you’re one of the 53 percent of older adults who spend time on the computer or using other mobile devices, like many of our residents are, you need to be wary of eyestrain. Staring at a computer screen for too long can put stress on your eye muscles and cause headaches, eye pain, and even blurred vision.

If you find yourself squinting to see your computer screen, there are a few steps you can take to improve your ability to read the screen and minimize the strain on your eyes:

• Adjust your screen so that is no more than 20-24 inches in front of you and only slightly below eye level.
• If you’re managing your banking or doing any other work online, keep your paperwork close by to minimize the strain of shifting between the screen and your documents.
• If there’s a glare, readjust your screen or your lighting so that light doesn’t shine directly on the monitor.
• Give your eyes a break every 15 minutes by shifting your focus from the screen to a distant object, which will relieve tension.
• Keep your eyes from drying out by blinking frequently.

5. Talk to a senior healthcare professional.

Age-related eye conditions can inhibit your ability to live independently as an older adult, but knowing your risks for common eye problems can help you take steps to stop your vision from deteriorating. So talk with your healthcare provider about developing a plan to manage lifestyle- and age-related risk factors that may increase your chances of developing eye and vision problems.

If you don’t have a primary care physician you visit regularly, don’t delay any longer. Having a good doctor may be one of the best steps you can take toward a healthy future and finding a trusted professional can be a simple process.

Source: http://episcopalretirement.com/

60s+ Eye Health

A regular eye exam is the best way to protect your eyesight – and an easy precaution to take. Another way to safeguard your vision is through proper eye nutrition.

Nutrition is a Key Component of Eye Health?

As part of an eye-healthy diet, choose foods rich in antioxidants, like vitamins A and C, such as leafy, green vegetables and fish. Many foods – especially fish – contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.

An inadequate intake of antioxidants, as well as over consumption of alcohol and saturated fats may create free-radical reactions that can harm the macula. High-fat diets can also cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. The eyes are especially sensitive to this, given the small size of the blood vessels that feed them.

What If Diet Just Isn’t Enough?

Studies indicate that proper nutrition is important to maintaining eye health. As we age, our eyes may not get enough nutrition through diet alone.

That's why Bausch & Lomb developed Ocuvite® Adult 50+ Lutein & Omega-3 Formula. This unique formula provides nutritional support for those at risk for AMD (age-related macular degeneration).   

These soft gels contain 150 mg of Omega 3 and 6 mg of Lutein, along with anti-oxidant vitamins C and E; nutrients important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.

Because the body cannot manufacture Lutein or Omega-3 and ordinary multi-vitamins only contain a fraction of these nutrients, Ocuvite Adult 50+ is important to help maintain eye health.*

Does Smoking Affect The Eyes Too?

Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. While the connection has not been clearly identified, it’s a fact that smoking increases your risk of developing a variety of conditions that affect eye health. For help with quitting, visit the American Lung Association’s free online smoking cessation program – Freedom From Smoking® Online – atwww.ffsonline.org.

Exercise

Exercise is important because it improves blood circulation, which, in turn, improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins.

Wear Sunglasses

Being outdoors on a sunny day feels wonderful – but it can be tough on your eyes. The solution? Wear sunglasses that block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Also, a hat with a brim will reduce the amount of UV radiation slipping around the side of your sunglasses.

At the Computer

After two hours of starting at a computer screen, you can end up with the same kind of repetitive stress in your eye muscles that a keyboard causes in your wrists. Here are a few tips to help reduce the impact of computer eyestrain:

• Keep your computer screen within 20"-24" of your eyes
• Keep the top of your computer screen slightly below eye level
• Minimize the distance between your computer screen and any documents you need to reference while working
• Use drops, such as Bausch + Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye Rejuvenation Lubricant Eye Drops, to soothe irritated, dry eyes
• Adjust lighting to minimize glare on the screen
• Take a break every 15 minutes to focus on a distant object
• Blink frequently

Eye Injuries

If your eye is injured, you should always get immediate, professional medical attention. It’s simply the best way to safeguard your vision.  Here are some symptoms that may signal a serious eye injury:

• Obvious pain or vision problems
• Cut or torn eyelid
• One eye that does not move as completely as the other
• One eye that protrudes more than the other
• Abnormal pupil size or shape
• Blood in the white of the eye
• Something imbedded in the eye
• Something under the eyelid that cannot be easily removed

*The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Source: http://www.bausch.com