Seniors' Eyes

A regular eye exam is the best way to protect your eyesight-- and an easy precaution to take.

Nutrition is a key component of eye health.

Research indicates proper nutrition is critical to maintaining and preserving eye health for both men and women.  As part of your healthy diet, choose foods rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C; foods like leafy, green vegetables and fish.  Many foods—especially fish­—contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.

An inadequate intake of antioxidants, consumption of alcohol and saturated fats may create free-radical reactions that can harm the macula. High-fat diets can also cause deposits that constrict blood flow in the arteries. The eyes are especially sensitive to this, given the small size of the blood vessels that feed them.  

Most Americans don’t get proper nutrition through diet alone.  That’s why Bausch & Lomb developed Ocuvite® Adult 50+, a unique formula that can help provide the supplemental nutrition our eyes need to stay healthy* as we age. These soft gels contain Omega-3 (150 mg) and Lutein (6 mg), nutrients important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision.    

Because the body cannot manufacture Lutein or Omega-3 and ordinary multi-vitamins only contain a fraction of the these nutrients, Ocuvite Adult 50+ is important to help maintain eye health.*

*These statements have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, care or prevent any disease.

Don't Smoke

Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. While the connection to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has not been clearly identified, it is known that smoking increases your risk of developing AMD. To help you quit, visit the American Lung Association’s free online smoking cessation program – Freedom From Smoking® Online – at www.ffsonline.org.

Exercise

Exercise improves blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins.

Wear Sunglasses

Being outdoors on a sunny day feels wonderful—but it can be tough on your eyes. Fortunately, there's an easy solution: sunglasses can block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Also, a hat with a brim will reduce the amount of UV radiation slipping around the side of your sunglasses.

At the Computer

Computer images are created from thousands of tiny dots—so there is no distinct image for your eye to actually focus on. You have to focus and refocus to keep the images sharp—and after two hours you end up with the same kind of repetitive stress in your eye muscles that the keyboard causes in your wrists.  You can reduce the impact of computer eyestrain by following a few simple rules:

• Keep your computer screen within 20"-24" of your eyes
• Keep the top of your computer screen slightly below eye level
• Minimize the distance between your computer screen and any documents you need to reference while working
• Use drops, such as Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief™ Dry Eye Rejuvenation Lubricant Eye Drops, to soothe irritated, dry eyes
• Adjust lighting to minimize glare on the screen
• Take a break every 15 minutes to focus on a distant object
• Blink frequently

Eye Injuries

If your eye is injured, it is tempting to think that you can just flush it out with some cold water and it will be fine. However, it is not easy to judge the extent or severity of any eye injury, so you should always get immediate, professional medical attention. It is the best way to safeguard your vision.  Here are some symptoms that may signal serious eye injury:

• Obvious pain or vision problems
• Cut or torn eyelid
• One eye that does not move as completely as the other
• One eye that protrudes more than the other
• Abnormal pupil size or shape
• Blood in the white of the eye
• Something imbedded in the eye
• Something under the eyelid that cannot be easily removed