A Healthy Diet And An Active Lifestyle Is Necessary For Healthy Aging

It’s important, as we age, to take care of our physical and mental health, especially since various factors can affect our daily lives. September 2023 is Healthy Aging Month, which celebrates the positive aspects of aging. With many Baby Boomers and Generation X individuals reaching their senior years every year, it’s crucial to stay informed about healthy aging practices. By doing so, seniors can improve their physical and mental well-being, maintain independence, and enhance their overall quality of life. It’s important to note that vision loss can increase the risk of several health issues, such as diabetes, depression, hearing impairment, stroke, falls, cognitive decline, and premature death.

As of February 2022, there are 12 million Americans aged 40 and above with vision impairment, including 1 million who are completely blind. Globally, the World Health Organization has reported that more than 2.2 billion people have eye and vision problems. Moreover, 1 in 6 Americans aged 65 and above have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, and the likelihood of eye disease increases with age. Unfortunately, many older adults do not seek eye care from an ophthalmologist. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of vision loss and providing crucial steps for seniors to take care of their eyesight.

Here Are Some Ways To Reduce The Likelihood Of Chronic Diseases And Slow Down The Aging Process:

• Getting enough physical activity
• Limiting alcohol and stress
• Healthy Eating; Fruits and Vegetables
• Adequate sleep

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Defines Healthy Aging As Identifiable To:

• A specific age
• Being free of long-lasting diseases
• Self-sufficient in activities of daily living
• Wellbeing
• Good quality of life
• High social participation
• Mild mental or functional loss
• Little or no disability.

Healthy Eating To Enhance And The Benefits

A lack of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Lutein in your diet can increase the risk of age-related vision conditions such as macular degeneration. NIH/NEI recommends the following for healthy vision:

• Eat healthy foods like dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens
• Eat fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut which are high in omega-3 fatty acids
• Be physical. It can also lower your risk of health conditions that can cause eye health or vision problems — like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• Stop smoking. It is bad for your lungs, eyes and increases the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts diseases, and harms the optic nerve
• Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation
• Wear protective eyewear like safety glasses and goggles
• Don’t overwork your eyes. Given them a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Take the appropriate steps to prevent eye infections due to contact lenses

Healthy Lifestyle And The Benefits

Medline Plus believes that the following things can help keep your eyes healthy and make sure you are seeing your best:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get regular exercise
• Wear sunglasses
• Wear protective eyewear
• Avoid smoking
• Know your family medical history
• Know your other risk factors

Contact us if you have concerns about your health. We welcome the opportunity to examine your eyes and ensure your vision health.