As you age, you might notice a few more problems with your eyesight. Before your arms grow too short for you to read the newspaper, try these eyesight-saving measures.
Nutrition Factors
Some health experts believe that vision problems – including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration – occur because of a build up of free radicals (unstable molecules formed when your body burns oxygen). Food feeds your eyes with important nutrients. To help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear:
Eat liberally:
- Antioxidants: black currents, berries, green tea, pink grapefruit, tomatoes, watermelon, orange and yellow vegetables, broccoli, purple grape juice
- Beta carotene: carrots, carrot juice, sweet potatoes, dark green vegetables, winter squash, orange-colored fruit cantaloupe, papaya, and mango
- Vitamin B complex: whole grains, seeds (especially sunflower), nuts, green vegetables, avocados, potatoes, bananas, fish, poultry, lean meat
- Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, dark green vegetables, melons
- Vitamin E: Wheat germ, legumes, dried fruits, fresh green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, fish
- Zinc and Selenium: whole grains, eggs, seafood, poultry, lean meat
Avoid or limit:
- Caffeine
- Saturated fats
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Sugar
- White flour and white rice
Environmental Contributors
Beginning at middle age, you are at increased risk of eye redness. A red spot on the white part of your eye is nothing to worry about. It will go away after about two weeks. There's nothing you can do to make it disappear any faster. If you see any red on the iris or pupil of your eye, however, contact an eye specialist immediately. If your eye hurts and you have blurred vision or a pinkish haze to your vision, see a doctor immediately.
To avoid red or bloodshot eyes:
- Get enough sleep.
- Keep your eyes moist.
- Blink more often.
- Use eye drops sparingly, if at all. They temporarily eliminate the redness, but can ultimately exacerbate your condition.
Eyestrain is bothersome but harmless. Your eyes will burn or water a little after working under harsh fluorescent lights or in front of a computer screen for several hours.
Here are some ideas that might help:
- Keep light from shining into your eyes. If you work at a computer screen, darken the screen.
- Eliminate glare. Use ambient lighting. Turn off or dim overhead lights when working on your computer or watching television.
- Reading in dim light won't worsen your eyesight, but low-contrast lighting can cause eyestrain.
- Try reading glasses. You can purchase them without a prescription from various grocery, drug, or variety stores. Experiment with the different strengths to see which makes reading easiest.
- If you're in front of a computer screen six hours or more per day, take a ten minute break every two or three hours. You can still work, but turn your focus to filing, reading mail, or making phone calls.
- Close your eyes more often. If you ride the bus or train to work, rest your eyes instead of reading the newspaper. Try shutting your eyes while talking on the phone or dictating.
These measures will not cure vision problems, but they can help delay or prevent them. Be sure to have regular vision tests. |
