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, as we all know, age takes a toll on them after a while.  But 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. It’s hard to believe that I’ve worn contacts for over 50 years? I started wearing them when I was 14 and have gone through every iteration of them from hard contacts to the most high-tech soft ones.

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 as we age.

Because taking care of your eyes over 50 is so important, I wanted to offer 7 tips to keep them bright and sharp as you age.

1. Make sure you have vision Insurance

Some medical insurance plans, including Medicare,  don’t 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. I bought a VSP individual vision plan and wrote a blog post about it with more details here.

2. Using electronics all day can affect how you sleep

Kids aren’t the only ones online all day. Baby Boomers are too and this can have an effect on your eyes that will keep you up at night. It may be a good idea to wear blue-blocking glasses when you’re at your computer or reading from your Kindle. Swanwick makes glasses with blue-light protections that are the most scientifically validated blue blockers on the market. Give them a try.

3. Take a supplement for optimal eye health

My optometrist recommends Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite with Lutein as a supplement for eye health. 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 also a good idea to take it. It contains lutein, zeaxanthin, omega 3’s, DHA & EPA, Vitamins C, E, & Zinc. You can get those nutrients from foods but you would 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 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.

For classy aviator sunglasses, I love my Randolph frames. Eyeconic has some beautiful designer shades as well.

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. The sites below will give you great bargains on all of your eye care needs.

• Warby Parker – I bought a pair of Warby Parker eyeglasses and loved the entire buying experience, not to mention the beautiful glasses I received. You can read a blog post I wrote about purchasing my Warby Parker’s here. They have a Home Try-On Program and you can try out 5 for free. The whole process was seamless.  The best part is that Warby Parker gives back to non-profits with every purchase. I’m excited to announce, they now sell contact lenses.
• Eyeconic – This company works with over 40,000 eye doctors and offers contacts, prescription eyeglasses, and sunglasses. They can also refer you to an eye doctor in your area. Eyeconic offers top designer brands of eyewear like Chloe, BeBe, Lacoste, & Ferragamo. They accept VSP, METLIFE, and CIGNA VISION benefits. And the best part is Eyeconic offers a 10% Senior Discount on all their products.

6. Give your aging eyes a youthful glow with eye creams, gel, and serums

I know from experience that wearing contacts adds extra wrinkles around your eyes especially if you rub them when they’re irritated. Having an effective eye cream helps keep your eye area supple and smooth. There are so many to choose from but some are better than others. 

Their effectiveness also depends on your skin’s unique chemistry and whether or not you are sensitive to certain ingredients. Sometimes an all-natural eye product can be more irritating than those that are not.  Below are a few I particularly like.

• Neutrogena Hydro-Boost gel- cream for the eye – I found this to be an excellent eye treatment that doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes. It feels great going on and keeps my eye area moisturized for hours. It’s lightweight but nourishes my dry skin immediately.
• AHAVA– Time to Revitalize Extreme Firming Eye Cream  – I love the ingredients in this eye cream – Tibetan Goji Berries, Himalayan Raspberry Root, Red Algae, Pearlescent Mica, and Cetraria Islandia Lichen. It also has a blend of AHAVA’s patented Osmoter™ and Dead Sea Minerals. You’ll love it!
• Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum – If you’re seriously lacking hydration in your eye area, you’ll want to try this eye serum. It’s made to brighten your eyes over 50 and give them a more youthful look. Its main ingredient is a time-released Retinol. You can use it in conjunction with Murad’s Renewing Eye Cream.

Do you have a favorite eye cream? Please leave a comment below because we’d all love to know about it.

7. 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!

Updated 8/2021

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