Whether you’re a caregiver caring for a loved one or you’re a senior striving for independent living, maintaining good eye health is important. It’s a common thought among seniors that their eye health will naturally deteriorate as they get older, so they don’t do much to protect them as a result. The good news is you don’t have to go out of your way too much to maintain your eyes if they are already healthy. Switching to some healthy habits may be the biggest adjustment, but here are some tips to consider.
Limit The Use Of Eye Drops
If you have any problems with your eyes and use over-the-counter eye drops as a solution, consider limiting them. The immediate relief from the pain you’re experiencing could just be covering up the underlying issue and may lead to bigger problems later. Consider using eye drops prescribed by your ophthalmologist instead of over-the-counter brands so you know exactly what you’re putting into your eyes and can feel confident you aren’t damaging them any further.
Consider Taking Multivitamins
Vitamins and supplements can be crucial to good eye health. Many people don’t get all of the nutrients they need as part of a regular diet, but it’s also not ideal for most people to take dozens of pills every day. Part of your healthy habits routine can be to find a good multivitamin with plenty of Vitamin A, B, C, D and E. These vitamins are known for maintaining good eye health and also preventing glaucoma. Omega-3 fatty acids also have proven to prevent glaucoma, so taking fish oil every day can be a valuable part of your routine. Just be sure to check with your doctor so you can take the proper doses of multivitamins and supplements to boost your eye health.
Load Up On Fruits And Vegetables
While multivitamins are great and beneficial, there’s no substitute for eating natural fruits and vegetables. Vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, broccoli and bell peppers are high in Vitamin A. Fruits like strawberries, lemons, grapefruit, oranges and other berries are high in Vitamin C. And if you want to incorporate sources of fatty acids as well, add some walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds to your diet. Developing healthy habits don’t have to be boring or hard to swallow. Get creative with meal planning and incorporate a good mix of these ingredients to keep meals exciting and healthy at the same time.
Sometimes genetics or other factors can make your eye health deteriorate no matter what you try. At the very least, incorporating these healthy habits can prevent any eye damage from getting worse or slow down the development of poor eye health. Next Day Access can also help people who may have poor eyesight by providing accessibility solutions throughout the home. Strategic placement of grab bars can prevent falls and help people with limited vision walk around easier and safer. If you have any questions about how we can help make your home more accessible, contact us at any time.