You may not consider yourself a senior just yet when you turn 50, but it’s all in your eyes. That’s because as we approach the middle ages of our lives and beyond, our vision starts to change. While it’s inevitable that your vision will change along with the rest of your body by the time you turn 50, you can take steps to maintain your eye health now. Below, we’ll explore the top tips for maintaining clear sight as you enter your senior years and the types of changes you can expect as you get older.
Your Eyes After 50
As we age, the crystalline lenses of our eyes harden. This process is medically known as presbyopia, and it contributes to the inability to focus on close objects. It more commonly occurs in adults starting at the age of 40.
Presbyopia is a refractive error, much like farsightedness (hyperopia). While it’s similar to farsightedness, the two refractive errors are not the same thing. An aging adult can be both farsighted and develop presbyopia at the same time. The difference is in the underlying causes of the disorders. Still, both presbyopia and farsightedness cause nearby objects to appear blurry.
In addition to blurry vision, other age-related eye issues that are common in aging adults include:
- Dry eyes
- Floaters
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Age-related macular degeneration
These age-related vision issues affect individuals differently and are associated with various treatments.
Tips for Maintaining Your Eyesight After 50
While it’s completely natural for your eyes to change as you get older, you can take steps to protect your vision and maintain eye health along the way. You may still require reading glasses, but the following tips can allow you to keep your vision as sharp as possible.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Growing up, you likely heard that carrots were good for your eyes. However, carrots aren’t your only option. Foods that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, beta-carotene, and lutein are excellent for your eye health. According to the Assil Gaur Eye Institute of Los Angeles, you can prevent or mitigate certain eye diseases — including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma —by simply eating the right foods. Some of the top foods suggested by the Assil Gaur Eye Institute include blueberries, dark chocolate, eggs, kale, red peppers, and goji berries.
Wear Your Sunglasses
While the vitamin D we get from the sun is important, it’s equally important to keep your eyes protected from the sun’s harsh UV rays. This is because direct sunlight can damage your eyes. Always keep a pair of sunglasses handy, even in winter.
Wear Your Prescription Glasses as Directed
If you have prescription glasses or contact lenses, they can help you. Whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted, you want to wear your glasses or contacts at all times or as directed by your optometrist.
Your prescription lenses help you see, and they also reduce eye strain. When you’re not wearing them, you’re forcing your eyes to work harder than necessary to focus. This kind of additional strain can tire out your eyes and may eventually lead to other issues.
Keep Up With Regular Eye Exams
Many adults don’t realize they need glasses until their vision becomes especially problematic. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your eye health by keeping up with annual eye exams. During an annual visit, your optometrist may be able to detect signs of potential eye issues before they become real conditions. They’ll also be able to fine-tune your prescription to help you avoid eye strain while wearing prescription lenses and get an idea of your overall health.
Give Your Eyes a Break
Whether you watch a lot of TV, work on the computer, or use a smart device for reading, it’s beneficial to take a break and allow your eyes to rest. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, when we focus our eyes on our smart screens, our blink rate is reduced by a third to a half. The result is fatigue, dry eye syndrome, and headaches.
A common way to combat eye fatigue is the 20-20-20 rule if you work or read often using a digital display. The rule advises to look at something in the distance (20 feet away) for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
While you can’t stop the aging process, you can be proactive about aging well. This is especially true when it comes to your eyes. Follow the tips above, as well as the tips that come straight from your eye doctor, so you can see clearly as you age into your golden years.
Resource Links
“Presbyopia” via the National Eye Institute
“Farsightedness (Hyperopia)” via the National Eye Institute
“7 Best Nutrients for Eye Health: What You Should Be Eating” via the Assil Gaur Eye Innstitute
“Protect Your Eyes From Too Much Screen Time” via the American Academy of Ophthalmology