EYE HEALTH FOR SENIORS

Known as the windows to our souls, our seniors’ eyes can tell stories of their past, their health, and their vitality.  As we age, our eyes naturally start to decrease in vision. However, with the additional strain from staring at screens, pollution and poor health, our eyes seem to be failing us a lot faster than it did for our grandparents.

While age isn’t something we can control, there are things we can do to mitigate damage to our eyes and help them age gracefully.

Senior Eye Issues

Age-related macular degeneration 

The leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 55 in North America, macular degeneration is mostly related to the aging process.  The central part of the retina, called the macula, is responsible for very detailed central vision; and is used for reading, driving and facial recognition.  Therefore, degeneration of the macula causes the center of your vision to blur.

Cataracts

Typically occurring in people over the age of 60, cataracts is a condition when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy. 

Glaucoma

Presently, only detected through an eye exam, Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.  So, while it can occur in all ages, being over 60 is a risk factor, and risk increases yearly.  

Eye-Friendly Foods

We found some great resources regarding eye health and preventative measures. We are including those sources here in their entirety, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Another great resource is this info sheet from the Government of Canada