Vision & Age

Seniors' Eyes

In Brief

It’s a fact of life that your eyesight changes as you get older, sometimes significantly. It may be harder to see in the dark, and you may see some glare from shiny roads or sun hitting the pavement when driving or walking outside.

Regular eye exams are even more important as you reach your senior years as health issues in other parts of the body can affect the continued strength of your vision. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to vision problems, especially if these conditions are allowed to continue without treatment.

Also important to long-term eye health is exercise, diet and rest as exercise improves blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins. Ensure that you are eat foods rich in antioxidants and getting enough rest.

Studies have shown that antioxidant minerals and other vitamins may help combat free radicals, and slow or prevent related diseases. Free radicals are unstable molecules and unchecked, they can damage cells in the eye, which may lead to serious vision problems, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Proper eye care is worth every penny and most medical aids will cover the cost of routine eye exams and some may even cover or contribute to the cost of vision correction such as prescription glasses or contact lenses.