Why Good Eye Care is a Must As You Age

The first thing people look at when they have a conversation with you is your eyes because they are windows into your soul. But, age takes a toll on them after a while.  Good eye care is important when you’re older and you have to be especially diligent about it to avoid problems that can affect everything from driving safely to your balance. 

I’ve spent a lot of time at the optometrist as I wore contacts for over 50 years starting when I was 14. Through the years I endured every style of contact lens from hard to the most high-tech soft ones.

Eye care is a must

One eye disease we all need to look out for as we get older is age-related macular degeneration because it can eventually cause total blindness. You should also get checked for cataracts and glaucoma, which are common and age-related as well.

I want to offer 6 tips to keep your eyes bright and sharp for as long as possible.

1. Make sure you have vision Insurance

Some medical insurance plans, including Medicare, do not include vision care. If yours doesn’t, make sure to buy a vision insurance plan to cover your yearly eye exams and any problems that may arise. If you’ve avoided the eye doctor because your vision is sharp, you still need a yearly checkup for potential eye diseases before they become a problem.

2. Don’t use electronics close to bedtime

Kids aren’t the only ones online all day. Baby Boomers are too and this can have an effect on your eyes and keep you up at night. It may be a good idea to wear blue-blocking reading glasses when you’re at your computer or reading from your Kindle.

3. Take a supplement for optimal eye health

My optometrist recommends Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite with Lutein to protect your eyes as you age. It’s a combination of vitamins and nutrients that help prevent macular degeneration by filtering out harmful blue light.  If you sit in front of a computer for hours it’s a good idea to take it. Ocuvite contains lutein, zeaxanthin, omega 3’s, DHA & EPA, and Vitamins C, E, & Zinc. You can get those nutrients from specific foods but you have to eat a lot of it.

4. Avoid sun damage by always wearing sunglasses outside

The sun is damaging not only to our skin but also to our eyes. In addition to causing cataracts, exposure to both visible light and UV radiation it may also cause the gradual degeneration of the retina, damage to the cornea, and pterygium (an overgrowth of the conjunctiva). Sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays will give you the best protection. They aren’t just for sunny days, either.

You can damage your eyes even when it’s overcast and snowing. And, contrary to what many people believe, the color of the lens doesn’t make a difference when it comes to protecting you from UV rays. Amber works just as well as charcoal as long as they have 100% UV protection.

5. Save money on glasses

Good eye care over 50 means wearing quality eyeglasses, contacts (if you wear them), and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. That can be costly, and as we get older most of us want to save our money for retirement or to have fun traveling.

Warby Parker -sells affordable glasses and stylish eyeglasses. I loved the entire buying experience they offer and you can try on 5 frames for free when you order. The whole process is seamless.  Warby Parker gives back to non-profits with every purchase. I’m excited to announce, they now sell contact lenses. Read a blog post I wrote about Warby Parker here.

6. Eat foods that will keep your eyes healthy and sharp

According to Health Line, the 7 Best Foods for Healthy Eyes to prevent cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eyes, and poor night vision are:

Fish, eggs, almonds, dairy, (yogurt) carrots, kale, and oranges. You may also want to include whole grains, berries, legumes, and sunflower seeds.

Here’s to taking care of your eyes over 50.  Have a carrot on me!

How do you keep your eyes shining bright? Please leave a comment below.