Visual changes are part of the normal aging process, but there are steps you can take to ensure that these changes are minimal and don’t compromise your quality of life. In today’s post, your trusted eye specialist from Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care shares some helpful tips to maintain your visual health.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do. We recommend including eye-friendly foods in your daily intake. Spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens, for example, are loaded with antioxidants, which are extremely good for the eyes. We also suggest eating citrus fruits to boost your immune system. Deep-water fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids to keep your eyes moisturized as well.
Getting enough sleep is another way to ensure adequate lubrication in your eyes, maintaining your visual comfort. Always avoid harmful habits like smoking cigarettes, which can cause serious damage to your eyes. Your trusted optometrist suggests exercising regularly to improve blood circulation in your body as well.
Protect Your Eyes
Avoiding too much ultraviolet (UV) exposure is one of the oldest tricks when it comes to achieving healthy aging eyes. Studies show that UV rays are major risk factors for eye wrinkles, cataracts, and other age-related eye conditions. This is why we recommend wearing sunglasses whenever you go outdoors. Make sure to choose a pair that has 100% UV Protection or UV 400 label. This means it can block up to 400 nanometers of UV rays, giving you excellent visual protection.
Have Regular Eye Exams
Most importantly, make sure to have comprehensive eye exams routinely. Many eye conditions are asymptomatic in their early stages, and can only be detected through an eye exam. When it comes to managing eye conditions, early detection and prompt treatment is critical. If you have a refractive error, we may recommend undergoing laser eye surgery as a more permanent vision correction method.
For more tips on achieving healthy aging eyes, call us at (301) 859-4060 or complete our form. We serve Alexandria, VA, and Potomac and Rockville, MD.
