The Importance of Eye Health for Seniors

From seeing the beauty of the great outdoors to looking into the eyes of a child or grandchild, our eyes allow us to do some pretty amazing things. Our eyes give us the ability to receive and process visual data – in fact, our sense of sight accounts for about 80 percent of what we perceive, according to the Medical Eye Center. Our eyesight is important, which is why we need to protect our eyes as part of our overall wellness. By maintaining eye health, we can reduce the possibility of eye-related diseases and vision loss. Keep reading for some tips on eye care.

7 Ways to Care for Your Eyes

1. Schedule yearly eye exams. While it’s important for people of any age to maintain eye exams, it’s especially important for those 65 and older. Age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma, are more easily treated with early detection.
2. Know your family’s medical history. While you’re at your yearly eye exam, confirm that your optometrist understands your family’s medical history. This helps to better understand your risk of diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which may be associated with genetic factors.
3. Wear corrective lenses, if necessary. Sometimes, we need a little help with our vision. Whether you prefer glasses or contacts, corrective lenses help us see clearly and reduce the possibility of eyestrain and headaches from blurred vision. Make sure your prescription stays up to date for ultimate clarity.
4. Wear protective eyewear. Protective eyewear is important to keep in mind, both when you’re in the sun or while working on some home repairs to keep your eyes from physical damage. Sunglasses help keep your eyes safe from harmful UV rays, which could lead to eye damage and an increased risk of eye diseases. On the other hand, goggles can keep your eyes from the damage of dust and debris.
5. Maintain a healthy diet. Keeping a balanced diet will help keep the health of your eyes in the long-term. While this doesn’t mean you have to skip the cookies entirely, a healthy diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy.
6. Exercise regularly. If you need another motivator to keep physically active, know that exercise helps your body in a myriad of ways – including healthy eyes. Exercise may help control risk factors that can lead to eye or vision problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
7. Give your eyes a break. Screens are everywhere – our phones, TVs and computers all emit a blue light that can strain our eyes. Reduce eyestrain by taking a break from looking at the screen at least every 20 minutes.

Learn More about Eye Care and Other Wellness Tips at Springpoint

At Springpoint, we encourage you to take part in your wellness journey. One way this is made possible is through LivWell, our holistic wellness program, which helps residents stay happy, healthy and engaged. You’ll find high-quality wellness programs that focus on many dimensions of your wellbeing, and the choice is up to you when it comes to what activities you wish to participate in.

Another way you can take part in your wellness journey is to see our specially trained staff. Springpoint hires only specially trained healthcare professionals to care for residents across all of our communities. These staff members include physical, occupational and speech therapists; RN clinic coordinators; nurse practitioners; a full-time experienced clinical care manager; and an AMDA-certified medical director and daily physician presence.

Interested in learning more? Check out our communities. Or contact our expert team today.