The Aging Process and the Impact it Has on Our Eyes

You know our eyes are the mirror to our souls. Our eyes is one crucial way in which we take in the world. Yet, frankly our eyesight is taken for granted. We often do not think about it until we start having problems with it. But there are things we could and should be doing or at least be aware of when it comes to our eyes now before any problems arises.

First do you realize what the age is when generally the average person will need glasses? The average age for needing glasses is the age of 40. At this age, many people will begin complaining about fuzzy vision, especially if they work at the computer a lot. People around this age also begin complaining more about dry, irritated eyes. But here are some tips that can help.

If you have trouble reading small print, such as the directions on prescription bottles the cause may be presbyopia, which is one of the most common signs of aging. The lens of the eye becomes stiffer, making it harder to adjust and focus. Here are some tips to help you read that small print.

1. Hold the paper further away from you. Your eyes will be able to adjust and focus better if you put some distance between you and the object you wish to read.

2. Try a pair of reading glasses. You can buy some inexpensive ones for less than $10. They are nonprescription and comes in some really nice frames. If you find that the ones without a prescription gives you a headache, than the magnifying level you are using isn't right for you. If you can't figure out what level you need, you may want to just go ahead and go to the eye doctor. He/she can then write you out a correct prescription pair of reading glasses that will fit your eyes.

2. Think twice before getting that ever popular LASIK surgery. Your eyes will continue to change as you grow older, at least until usually around the age of 60. If you correct your vision now, it may once again become blurry in a few years.

Eating for your eyes.

Yes, mom was right. Carrots are good for our eyes. But there are other vegetables and nutrients that our eyes need to continue to have good vision.

Salmon, halibut, tuna, walnuts and flax seeds will all help keep us from getting dry eyes. Why? They are full of omega-3 fatty acids. A study showed that women who consumed seafood 2 to 4 times a week decreased their risk of dry eyes by 45%. These same omega 3 fatty acids, may work just as well for men.

Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, red peppers, almonds, lean meats, peanuts and legumes may decrease your risk of developing macular degeneration. This is a disease that gradually over time destroys the center of your sight causing one to be left with only their peripheral vision. But by eating these types of foods you can cut that risk by 25%. These foods and other foods help because they are rich in beta carotene, vitamins C and E, as well as Zinc. (see mom knew what she was talking about when we were kids)

Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are also good for the eyes because they are high in lutein and zexanthin. Lutein and Zexanthin can drastically reduce the risk of cataracts. Cataracts is when the lens of one's eyes become cloudy, blurry and over time and left untreated can lead to full blindness. Orange yellow fruits and vegetables are also high in lutein and zexanthin as is the yokes of eggs.

No, eating the right foods won't stop the aging process for our eyes. But it can help us to achieve better eye health longer.