How to take care of your eyes after 40 years old
Learning how to take care of your eyes is important if you are 40 years and older, as you would experience a greater risk of suffering from serious vision complications, particularly if you have:
- A family history of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma among other eye conditions
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Other medical problems that necessitate long term medicine prescribed by your Doctor
By being vulnerable to various eye issues owing to aging eyes, it is important for you to learn how to take care of your eyes after the age of 40. Let us have a look at what you can do to protect your eye health as you grow older.
#1: Consume more vitamins and antioxidants
A major way to enhance your eye health at all ages, especially so in your 40s, is to improve your eating habits. Consume plenty of antioxidants in your diet, such as omega-3s, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. Such antioxidants may reduce your chances of getting age-related eye diseases. If you take medications regularly and are unsure if vitamins are suitable for you, it’s best to check with a pharmacist, nutritionist or with your doctor.
#2: Exercise to enhance blood circulation.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes. Exercise is very important, especially as you age, to get your blood flowing. A new exercise regimen may decelerate or prevent diabetic retinopathy.
#3: Schedule an annual eye examination
Fix regular appointments with your eye doctor to check your eye health. You should go for a comprehensive eye examination once per year to assess your eye health and anatomy. Through this eye check, your eye care professional can identify eye diseases, refractive errors (myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, presbyopia) and other issues before your vision or eye health deteriorates.
#4: Practice Good Screen Habits
Each electronic screen emits some level of high-energy blue light, which can be straining on your eyes. You might tend to blink less often when looking at a screen. Such habits can take a toll on our eyes, and your vision at any age. Therefore, to protect your eyes from digital eye strain, avoid prolonged periods of looking at digital screens. Practice the 20-20-20 rule anytime you are using digital screens. Just look at something at least twenty feet away, for at least twenty seconds, after every twenty minutes of digital screen use.
Eye Health is Important At Any Age, Especially When You Get Older
You may have a higher risk of getting presbyopia, a refractive error that affects aging eyes. Hence you might find it challenging to see things up close and even need extra light to see at all. Furthermore, you might encounter more glare than usual when driving and an impaired tear flow.
You may need to visit the eye doctor immediately after experiencing some symptoms. Use the Plano app to sign up for an eye appointment now.
References
Foreyes.com. 2021. How to Take Care of Your Eyes After 40 | For Eyes | Blog. [online] Available at: <https://www.foreyes.com/blog/how-to-take-care-of-your-eyes-after-40/> [Accessed 15 November 2021].
Dr. Jay Bansal, M., 2021. How to Take Care of Your Eyes After the Age of 40 | LaserVue LASIK & Cataract Center. [online] LaserVue LASIK & Cataract Center. Available at: <https://www.laservue.com/eye-health/how-to-take-care-of-your-eyes-after-40/> [Accessed 15 November 2021].
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