Aging Well Includes Healthy Eyes
By Technical Writer Ben Niedbalski
Eye health is important to keep your vision at its best through all phases of life.
Aging can bring challenges, but caring for your eye health should not be one of them. Clear vision allows for many good things in life, including watching grandchildren at play, enjoying a favorite television show, or even renewing your driver’s license to maintain your independence. It is a critical part of whole-person wellness.
Eye health is important in all phases of life, but there are more considerations as we age. Ask yourself the following questions:
- When was my last eye exam?
- Is reading or seeing the television becoming more difficult?
- Have I noticed any vision changes? Are things blurry or hazy?
- Do I have any eye pain or irritation?
- Do I have double vision or sudden changes in vision?
Keep in mind that conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure can also affect vision.
- How do I keep my eyes healthy?
- Have regular eye exams.
- Give your eyes a rest. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, especially if the screen is close.
- Wear UV protected sunglasses or safety glasses when needed.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in traditional foods.
- Monitor and maintain your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol at healthy levels.
As we age, our view of the world changes, and so does our eyesight. Taking a few steps for eye health will allow a clearer view of the good things in life — like grandchildren!
To discover more about eye health, call your primary care provider or Southcentral Foundation Optometry in Anchorage at (907) 729-8500 or Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla at (907) 631-7800.
For more information, visit southcentralfoundation.com/aging-well.
