How to Protect Your Vision Naturally As You Age
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As we get older, we typically have a lot of health issues with which to become legitimately concerned. In our hustle and bustle to fix all the other problems that face us, we often neglect certain parts of our bodies, including our eyes. In order to avoid the need for prescription drugs and eye glasses, you need to know how to protect your vision in natural ways as you age. Being proactive about your eyesight is one of the most important things you can do as you grow older.
Eating for Your Eyes
In order for you to get the most out of what you eat, you will need to be eating the right things. For starters, you have to make sure you are consuming foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids while also getting enough vitamin C and E, as well as zinc and lutein. Getting these vital nutrients through whole food sources is highly recommended. Try including foods like salmon, leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens, etc.), tuna, oranges, eggs, nuts, and beans into more of your everyday recipes to protect your vision for the long run. Note that poor diet is linked to type 2 diabetes, which is a leading cause of vision loss in adults.
Shielding Your Eyes
There is always a debate between nature and nurture. Does your vision fail naturally because you are growing older or because you do not take care of it? As you live your life, your eyes are subject to hazards like pollution, sun rays, and bright lights. Over time, this may decrease your ability to see clearly. To prevent this from happening to you, wear sunglasses when it is bright outside and eyeglasses when you have a prescription for them. If you want to be extra proactive, make regular appointments with an optometrist.
Putting Down the Smokes
Smoking doesn’t improve your health in any way, and your eyesight is no exception. Smoking makes cataracts more common in patients, and it also promotes optic nerve damage and even macular degeneration. Finding ways to quit smoking now may help you to protect your vision in the long run. Ask your doctor if you need some help.
Keeping your eyes protected is important, especially as you age. Nobody is going to bring you a new set of eyes. You have to take steps today to ensure you can still use your own tomorrow.