Eye Health Tips for Seniors in South Florida

With the Sunshine State being one of the most sought-after areas in the US to retire, it’ll come as no surprise that there’s a need for great senior eye care in South Florida. However, when it comes to eye health tips for the elderly, the same ophthalmologic advice holds true wherever in the US or world you might live.

In every area of physical health, the more birthdays you’ve celebrated, the more likely you are to develop a condition. When it comes to your vision, some of the most common aging eye conditions include:

• Cataracts: Where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, affecting the quality of vision.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure within the eye.
• Presbyopia: The reduced ability to focus on close-up objects.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A condition that causes problems with central vision.
• Dry Eyes: Where tear production becomes inefficient, causing the eyes to water and weep.

All of the above can, if not proactively managed, reduce your visual acuity. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to support keeping your best possible eyesight, no matter what your age, eye issues, or other health conditions.

Vision Protection for Seniors to Easily Integrate into Your Life

As ophthalmologists, if we can clarify that the single most important thing everyone can do for their vision is to:

Get regular eye tests!

This is important at every age, but becomes even more vital once you reach the magical age of 40. This is because many asymptomatic internal eye changes begin at around this time of life. You might not notice any visual clues, but the earliest signs can often be seen way before they cause you any problems. As with every illness or disease, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to monitor and treat. So don’t skip those annual or bi-annual eye exams.

Other top tips as the years roll by include:

• Wear high-quality sunglasses: Especially when the sun is high in the sky and/or you’re in a highly reflective environment (on or by the water, enjoying snow sports, etc.).
• Wear a cap or hat with a peak when in the sun: This will shade your eyes from the UV rays.
• Take your medication as prescribed: This applies whether it’s for an eye condition, heart condition, blood pressure, or anything else. The health of your eyes is intrinsically linked to whole body wellness, so adhering to prescription medication is essential.
• Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, pulses, and legumes: This will ensure a wide range of vitamins and minerals that the body and eyes need for optimal function.
• Don’t smoke: We all know how damaging this is for health, and that includes your eyes too.
• Enjoy alcohol responsibly: While it’s now been proven that no alcohol is the only safe level to consume, if you do drink, then do so in moderation.
• Use any prescriptive glasses or contact lenses: This supports your eye health and helps prevent eye strain.
• Exercise: Whether this is playing golf, going for a walk, gardening, dancing, or whatever, regular movement will benefit your eyes and every other area of whole-body health.

Everyone’s eyesight naturally declines with age. Supporting it with the above easy steps are some of the most proactive things you can do to ensure your vision remains as good as possible as you get older.

Pairing these steps with regular visits to your ophthalmologist is the key to optimal eyesight. South Florida residents can take advantage of a leading US eye clinic, the West Boca Eye Center, which is on their doorstep. We offer a one-stop-shop for every element of eye care, from cataract operations to routine eye checks, and everything else in-between.

Find out more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/routine-eye-care

With the Sunshine State being one of the most sought-after areas in the US to retire, it’ll come as no surprise that there’s a need for great senior eye care in South Florida.

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