With age, eyesight naturally changes, which is why it’s important to take steps to keep the eyes healthy. This is especially true for seniors, who are more likely to have eye issues like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Luckily, there are many ways seniors can keep their vision safe and healthy, and senior home care can help.
Schedule Eye Exams Regularly
Regular comprehensive eye exams are important for spotting vision issues earlier rather than later. The American Optometric Association suggests that people over 60 get their eyes checked at least once a year. Eye doctors can find issues during these checks before they get serious. This helps ensure that treatment can be given early for better results. Senior home care can remind seniors to make and keep these appointments, as well as provide transportation.
Follow a Vision Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is important for keeping the eyes working as they should. Seniors should eat foods that are high in vitamins and minerals to help support their eyesight, such as:
- Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, provide omega-3 fatty acids.
- Citrus foods like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are good sources of vitamin C.
- Nuts and seeds provide vitamin E, including almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.
- Carrots and sweet potatoes are good sources of beta-carotene.
Shield the Eyes from UV Light
Spending too much time in UV light can lead to cataracts and visual degeneration. Seniors should wear sunglasses that block all UV rays and wide-brimmed hats when outside to protect against sun exposure. Polarized lenses can also help reduce glare.
Manage Ongoing Health Issues
Long-term diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure can greatly affect eyesight. Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness in older people, and high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes. To keep their eyes healthy, it’s important to manage these conditions with the right medication, food, and exercise.
Keep Hydrated
Dehydration can cause dry eyes, leading to irritation, redness, and pain. Seniors should drink enough water every day and use eye drops to keep their eyes wet and comfy if needed. Also, they can choose foods with a water base, such as soups, watermelons, and cucumbers to help keep their hydration levels up.
Limit Screen Time and Use Good Lighting
Spending too much time on screens can cause digital eye strain, which includes symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and fuzzy vision. Seniors can keep their eyes safe by following these tips:
- Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
- Change the screen brightness and color to minimize glare.
- Use good lighting when reading or writing to prevent eye strain.
Work Out Often
While it might not seem like working out would have anything to do with vision, the truth is that regular exercise helps blood flow, which is good for the eyes. Additionally, exercise can lower the chances of getting diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can harm eyesight.
Use Vision-Friendly Devices
Seniors with vision loss can use tools like magnifying glasses, high-contrast reading materials, and large-print books to stay independent and improve their quality of life.
Senior home care can help seniors maintain their vision by encouraging them to adopt some or all of the tips and tricks above.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Oyster Bay, NY, please contact the caring staff at Help at Home today at (631) 859-3435
Help at Home is a top provider of home care services in Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Hempstead & Oyster Bay, and surrounding areas on Long Island & NYC. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Whether you or a loved one is recuperating from an illness or a senior requiring care, we can help. Help at Home is committed to providing quality home care at affordable rates. Helping a patient remain in the comfort and security of their home is our goal. We are the best alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Help at Home caregivers
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