3 Daily Habits for Seniors Who Want to Reduce Their Risk of Glaucoma
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Thousands of people around the world struggle with the effects of glaucoma on a daily basis - but there are those who aren't familiar with what the condition entails. While there are different forms of glaucoma and a number of different symptoms that could indicate someone is developing glaucoma, the best cure is prevention. Knowing what daily habits to institute can help senior adults prevent the effects of glaucoma. Here are three ways for senior adults to reduce their risk of developing glaucoma, straight from Senior Helpers Charleston.
What is Glaucoma?
According to WebMD, glaucoma is a condition that damages the eye's optic nerve. Usually linked to a buildup of pressure inside the eye, glaucoma often develops later in life. If the damage is bad enough, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss and even blindness.
Senior adults can have a genetic predisposition for developing glaucoma, but certain risk factors can also increase the risk for it. These risk factors include diabetes, thin corneas, being nearsighted or farsighted, and high blood pressure, as well as lifestyle factors like smoking and eating a diet high in saturated fats. While nothing can prevent glaucoma completely, there are some things that seniors can do in order to minimize their risk of developing glaucoma.
Eat a Healthy Diet
According to Aging, eating a healthy diet can indirectly help in the prevention of glaucoma by reducing the risk of diabetes and blood pressure issues that can play a role in its development. Understandably, it can be overwhelming to overhaul your diet completely. But the key is to take it one step at a time. Start by working in as many fruits and vegetables as you can into your daily meal plan. Then, start prioritizing lean protein. From there, make more of the needed adjustments little by little until you've achieved your diet goal.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease - which is a known risk factor for developing glaucoma. It also has a host of benefits, both mental and physical. Seniors might enjoy some sort of low-impact routines, such as light weights, yoga, or even light cardio. But make sure to consult your doctor before beginning any sort of new exercise routine.
Wear Protective Eyewear
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, injury to your eyes can result in a type of glaucoma known as secondary glaucoma. For this reason, if you are engaging in any sort of home improvement project or high-intensity sport, you should make sure to wear protective eyewear. Eye trauma can also occur from very bright light, so senior adults should take care to wear sunglasses when they are outside during periods of intense sunlight.
Senior Helpers Provides Custom Caregiving Services
Take care of your eyes, and they will take care of you! Glaucoma is an uncomfortable condition that can have some serious complications - and implementing these daily habits can help seniors protect their eyes. Senior Helpers Charleston is dedicated to helping seniors in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Moncks Corner, James Island, and Daniel Island live their best lives through personalized caregiving services that cater to the whole person. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer!