Senior’s Vision

As we age, our eyesight tends to decline – vision loss in the elderly due to eye disease is a major health care issue. By age 65, one person in three has some form of eye disease, due to lifestyle choices and the ageing process. Risk factors like smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and some medications like steroids can lead to eye disease.

Common Eye Conditions:

Cataracts develop when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, gradually impairing vision. The change may be so slow that no treatment is necessary. If the cataract advances to interfere with lifestyle, the lens can be surgically removed and replaced with a plastic substitute.

Glaucoma is caused by a pressure imbalance or fluid drainage problems in the eye. This results in optic nerve damage and loss of peripheral vision. Early treatment – drops or surgery – can stop its progression, but unfortunately most people don’t notice any symptoms until permanent damage has occurred.

Another leading cause of blindness results from retinal deterioration. The retina is a thin lining of cells, located at the back of the eye that receives visual images and passes them on to the brain. In macular disease and degeneration the central vision may become blurred or distorted with dark spots. Diabetic retinopathy involves serious changes in the retina, including bleeding and swelling.

While there are various medical treatments and surgeries available, natural eye care is an effective way to maintain healthy vision. Here are some tips for seniors to take care of their eyes naturally.

* Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet is crucial for maintaining healthy eyesight. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein are essential for eye health. Include colourful vegetables, berries, dark leafy greens, oily fish, nuts, and citrus fruits in your diet
* Exercise regularly: Exercise is beneficial for eye health as it increases blood flow to the eyes and reduces pressure in the eye – try brisk walking 3 times per week
* Quit smoking: it’s linked to many eye diseases, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage.
* Drink around 2L per day to help with dryness and anterior eye issues
* Rest your eyes: If you work long hours on a computer, take frequent breaks to rest your eyes. Blink often and focus on distant objects to reduce eye strain
* Manage general health conditions (especially cardiovascular disease & diabetes) to reduce the risk of eye problems

Annual eye exams are crucial for detecting eye problems early. Early detection and treatment of eye problems can prevent irreversible damage to your vision.