Vision loss can happen at any age, but it’s especially important for older adults to protect their sight. At The Cabana at Jensen Dunes, we help our assisted living and memory care residents maintain healthy eyes so they can enjoy a vibrant, social life. While vision changes are common as we age, they are not inevitable. Thankfully, there are several ways to age-proof your vision. These tips can help ensure that you have optimal eyesight now and in the future.
Research shows that seniors who prioritize wellness can lower their risk of vision problems. Although vision changes are common for adults over 50, many can be prevented or managed with proper care. By taking proactive steps to protect your eyesight you can enjoy better vision in your golden years.
How can Seniors Prevent Vision Loss?
Here are six practical ways you can start implementing today to help you maintain the health of your eyes and lower your risk for vision loss.
Have a Routine Dilated Eye Exam
One of the best things you can do to prevent vision loss once you are over 60 is to receive an annual routine eye exam. It should be a comprehensive dilated exam from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Many people believe that their eyes are fine, even when they have an underlying problem. An exam is the best way to be proactive about your current eye health. It helps protect the eyes by identifying potential issues before they become serious.
Fortunately, with early intervention, many common vision problems can be treated with glasses or contact lenses. Even eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, can be treated to slow the progression of vision loss. At the Cabana, we support our residents in managing eye health through access to screenings, transportation to specialists, and wellness education.
Maintain Your Blood Sugar Levels
Another way to prevent vision loss is by maintaining your blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar levels can significantly impact the quality of your eyesight. High levels can lead to various conditions, including blurred vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.
To help maintain your levels, there are three important things that you will need to monitor. This includes your A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
A1c: This is a common blood test used to monitor a person’s risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Find out from your doctor what a healthy goal is for your A1c.
Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers. The first is your systolic blood pressure and the second is your diastolic blood pressure. Talk with your doctor to determine a healthy blood pressure for you.
Cholesterol: To maintain blood sugar levels, you want to lower your LDL, which is considered bad cholesterol. You also want to increase your HDL, which is good cholesterol. If you do not know your cholesterol, ask your doctor to run a test so you can be aware of your levels.
Eat for Your Sight
Did you know that increasing your intake of certain foods could help improve your eyesight? Many foods are enriched with the right nutrients to help you maintain optimal eye health.
There are a variety of foods to add to your daily menu that can effectively support your eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends carrots and dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens just to name a few. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to have eye health benefits. Foods rich in omega-3s include salmon, tuna, and halibut. Assisted living and memory care residents at The Cabana at Jensen Dunes, in Jensen Beach, FL enjoy chef-prepared meals featuring eye-healthy ingredients like leafy greens, carrots, and omega-3 rich fish.
Manage Your Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is a great way to help prevent vision loss. This is because being overweight increases a person’s risk of developing diabetes. In turn, diabetes increases the risk of developing certain types of vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease and glaucoma.
With that said, you can maintain a healthy weight by adopting a diet high in fruits and vegetables and ensuring that you get a little bit of physical activity each day.
Stay Active
You can add vision protection to the long list of benefits of exercise. A long-term study of more than 15,000 individuals found that those who were physically active experienced less vision loss over a 20-year period than those who did not exercise at all. At The Cabana, we focus on wellness and encourage our residents to stay active to help maintain strong circulation, reduce the risk of eye disease, and support overall health.
Sport Some Shades
A 1998 a Johns Hopkins study was among the first to link sun exposure to an increased risk of cataracts. And those with fair skin and blue eyes have an even higher risk of developing cataracts. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light also increases the risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The theory is that increased UV light causes changes in the metabolism of the cells in the retina and lens.
When it comes to choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses, make sure they protect against UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, and wrap around your face. Another Johns Hopkins study also found that up to 20 percent of the sun’s rays can “leak” through the sides of typical glasses.
Eye health and preventing vision loss is always important. By making these healthy choices and participating in The Cabana’s wellness programs, seniors can preserve vision and enjoy active living for years to come.
At assisted living and memory care communities like The Cabana at Jensen Dunes in Jensen Beach, FL, comprehensive wellness programs teach and support all forms of healthy aging. They work to make aging well easy and fun. To learn more about The Cabana’s assisted living or memory care or to schedule a private tour, contact us or us a call 772-758-1003.