Tips to Protect Your Eyes
As we age, we can encounter various medical problems with our eyes. The Lancet reports by 2050 an estimated 895 million people worldwide will develop vision impairments (a 150 percent increase over the next 30 years). Experts say over 90 percent of people 65 and older will have a cataract, and half of those between 75 and 85 years old will have some vision loss due to a cataract. An Australian study found that by 80 years old, one in eight people have glaucoma. The Lancet articles say that while this sounds alarming, many vision problems can be treated, and even prevented by following some simple, healthy habits.
Recommendations for eye care include wearing sunglasses whenever we are in the sun to protect our eyes from UV light, which is just as bad for our eyes as it is for our skin. Wear sunglasses rated as a 100 percent protection against UVA and UVB, or a 100 percent protection against UV 400.
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is another important step to healthy eyes. Foods good for eyesight include dark-green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens that contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Research suggests they can block high-energy blue light that attacks the retinal cells. Other foods good for eyes are carrots, squash and sweet potatoes as well as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Experts say getting enough sleep each night and exercising helps our eyes stay strong. A study from the University of California Los Angeles suggests “brisk walking may also lower your risk of getting glaucoma, with the most active among us having a 73 percent lower risk than the least active.” Also get in the habit of cleaning your lids at the base of the lashes with a mild soap or a pre-packaged eye lid scrub; and if you need another reason to quit smoking, quit for the health of your eyesight. Lastly, get regular eye exams.
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Source: aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/protect-eyes.html