Seniors suffer from age-related eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Read these 5 ways to protect your vision as you age. 

As we age, there are ways to safeguard our eyes against vision loss while preventing the progression of age-related diseases. Although getting older puts people at an increased risk for serious eye diseases and other problems, there are simple steps that seniors can take to keep their eyes healthy now and reduce their chance of vision loss in the near future.

1. Protect Your Eyes. Sunglasses that block UV rays can delay the development of cataracts while protecting delicate eyelid skin and preventing both wrinkles and skin cancer around the eye. Be sure to buy sunglasses that block 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays.
2. Eat a Proper Diet. Since a vitamin deficiency can impair proper eye function, a variety of green leafy vegetables should be an important part of any senior’s diet. People who eat diets full of vitamins E, C, zinc, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration.
3. Stop Smoking. Smoking tobacco is linked to many adverse health effects. Studies show that smokers are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who have never smoked. Smokers are also at increased risk for developing cataracts.
4. Keep Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure in Check. Fluctuating blood sugar and blood pressure levels can harm the blood vessels in the eye’s retina, leading to potential vision problems and even the risk of blindness. Diabetics and those with high blood pressure should take care to keep their levels in check in order to preserve the health of their eyes.
5. Get Yearly Eye Exams. Eye problems that commonly affect older adults, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, can cause severe impairments if left untreated. Yearly eye exams can detect issues that may occur before they become a bigger problem.

While not all eye diseases can be prevented, taking these simple steps can keep your eyes healthy now and reduce your chance of vision loss in the future.