As we age, our vision may be impacted by the lifestyle choices we make and the habits we’ve developed. Following this practical advice can help preserve your eyesight well into retirement and beyond.

1. Revamp Your Diet

It’s okay to indulge in a little junk food from time to time, but regularly eating healthier foods, including leafy greens, fish (especially salmon), nuts and carrots, among others, is essential for retaining good vision.

Also, omega-3s are known to help with tear production and can help you combat dry eyes. There's even evidence that omega-3-rich diets can help reduce your risk of eye disease later in life.

2. Put on Your Sunglasses

One of the easiest ways to protect your eyesight is to wear sunglasses when you’re outside. UV rays contribute to your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Be sure to choose sunglasses that offer UVA and UVB protection.

3. Quit or Don’t Start Smoking

Eye health suffers when you smoke. Research shows that smoking can double your risk for age-related macular degeneration and increase your risk for cataracts by two-to-three times.

Compared to a person who doesn’t smoke, your risk of serious eye degeneration and disease sharply rises. If you are a smoker, discuss cessation techniques with your doctor to find ways to curb this habit.

4. Exercise

This one may surprise you, but eye health is heavily influenced by heart health. Exercising regularly helps maintain healthy blood pressure, which in turn, prevents undue pressure within circulatory structures of the eyes. Getting your blood pumping a few times a week is great for your eye health.

5. Get Regular Eye Exams

Unless you notice a difference in your vision, it’s easy to overlook eye exams as a critical part of your ongoing health maintenance routine. Regular comprehensive eye exams, however, can help to identify key eye-related issues early, allowing you and your optometrist or ophthalmologist to take corrective actions as soon as possible.

It's always best to track eye issues or key concerns and rectify them before they harm your eyesight further.

6. Reduce Screen Time and Rest Your Eyes

We live in a digital world where people of all ages are glued to their screens. To reduce the associated strain on your eyes, every 20 minutes, be intentional about diverting your eyes from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on an object that is at least 20 feet away. Just remember the 20/20/20 rule.

Senior eye care and healthy vision choices can help you preserve your eyesight as you age. If you follow the recommendations above, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your vision for years to come.

To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, or to discuss vision treatment options, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.