TO DO LIST
Purchase gym membership – Check!
Use the Healthy Cooking book for delicious new recipes – Check!
Don’t forget to pack the 10 different bottles of Sunscreen – Check!
Take daily vitamins – Check!
These are all excellent ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle while aging, but this list is missing one important category – your eyes. A 2008 worldwide study by Pfizer revealed that twice as many people are afraid of going blind as are afraid of premature death or heart disease. We only have one set of eyes, so it’s important to take care of them.
Here are 5 important maintenance tips to help keep your peepers healthy!
1) Omega-3 Fish Oil
Studies have shown that Omega-3 Fish Oil can be beneficial to your vision, as it improves the surface of the eye by decreasing inflammation. There are many different combinations of fish oil products on the market, and not all of them are equally as beneficial. It’s important to use a high quality fish oil supplement in a triglyceride form, and be sure to take at least 2,000 – 3,000 mg of the Omega 3 part of the supplement daily. It’s also a good idea to incorporate tuna, salmon and halibut into your diet, as they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
2) Stay Hydrated!
There are endless benefits to drinking lots of water, from energizing muscles and aiding in organ functionality to promoting healthy looking skin. Our physicians recommend drinking 64 oz. of water each day, as research shows that a well-hydrated individual tends to display a healthier tear film. Drink up, my friends!
3) Warm Compresses
Though commonly recommended for folks suffering from Ocular Surface Disease (Dry Eye), warm compresses can be beneficial to all individuals, reinforcing healthy Meibomian Gland functionality. A warm washcloth (not too hot!) should be placed over your closed eyelids for approximately 10 minutes, twice a day. Often times, a gentle lid message is recommended following the warm compress, but check with your eye doctor on specific instructions prior to performing this task. Warm compresses help to deliver healthy oils to the surface of the eye by keeping the oil producing glands open and free of blockage.
4) Protect Your Eyes From Environmental Hazards
You’ve heard this a million times, but we strongly recommend you wear a decent pair of sunglasses outside! Be sure your shades block 99%-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Smoking is also harmful to your eyes and just like too much UV exposure, can cause cataracts and macular degeneration.
5) Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are essential in maintaining healthy vision as you age. Early detection of eye diseases and disorders can help restore and preserve your vision, so it’s important to see your physician on an annual or semi-annual basis (per your doctor’s recommendation). A few common age-related disorders that could be discovered at an annual eye exam are cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and ocular surface disease.
Be proactive and protect your vision!
Schedule Eye Exam – Check!
